Pope Leo XIV Calls For Respect Of Venezuelan Sovereignty After U.S. Captured Maduro.

Vatican City; January 2026: Pope Leo XIV have expressed deep concern over the situation in Venezuela and called for the country’s national sovereignty to be fully respected, one day after a U.S. operation ended with the capture and arrest of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.

“With a heart full of concern, I follow the evolution of the situation in Venezuela”, the Pope said, underscoring that “the good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail above any other consideration”.

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At the end of the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV spoke about the situation in Venezuela, following the capture of Nicolás Maduro by the United States under President Donald Trump. “With a heart full of concern, I follow the developments… the good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration”. The Pope said that he is praying for Venezuela, urged all to overcome violence and respect the rule of law and human rights, and invited everyone to join in prayer, entrusting the Venezuelan people to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto and of Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Sister Carmen Rendiles.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus, Leo XIV insisted on the need to “overcome violence” and called for “embarking on paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the country’s sovereignty”.

The Holy Father also pointed to the importance of “ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution” and of “respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person”. He further urged working together to “build a serene future of collaboration, stability, and concordia”.

The pontiff emphasised that this effort must be carried out “with special attention to the poorest, who suffer because of the difficult economic situation”. Finally, the Pope invited Catholics to unite in prayer for Venezuela, entrusting this intention “to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto and of Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Sister Carmen Rendiles”, canonised last year.

The Pope’s remarks come at a moment of maximum political and international tension for Venezuela following the capture of President Maduro and his wife, and Maduro’s imminent prosecution on U.S. soil on drug trafficking charges.

Hours earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump said a second wave of attacks was planned if forces in the country offered resistance. “We are going to govern Venezuela until there is a safe transition”, he said at a press conference.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Tribunal of Justice has ordered that Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assume the presidency due to Maduro’s “forced absence”.

Team Maverick.