Pope urges peace and rule of law for Venezuela

Following the Angelus prayer on January 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV voiced deep concern over the rapidly unfolding crisis in Venezuela, offering the Holy See’s first public response since the U.S. military operation that led to the arrest and extraction of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife in Caracas.

Speaking from a window that overlooks St. Peter’s Square, the Pope stressed that the good of the Venezuelan people must take precedence over all other interests, and he called for "guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country."

He appealed for an end to violence and urged political leaders to pursue “paths of justice and peace,” firmly grounded in respect for national sovereignty, constitutional order, and the civil and human rights of every citizen.

“The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail,” the Pope said, calling for a future marked by collaboration, stability, and concord.

His words echoed the long-standing diplomatic approach of the Holy See, which consistently emphasizes dialogue, legality, and the protection of the vulnerable — particularly the poor, who continue to suffer most amid economic collapse.

The Pope also invited Catholics worldwide to pray for Venezuela, entrusting the country to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto — venerated at the National Shrine in Guanare — as well as recently canonized saints José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles. In doing so, he framed the crisis not only as a geopolitical emergency but as a spiritual moment requiring solidarity and hope.

The Angelus appeal came just hours after U.S. special forces carried out a nighttime operation on January 3, entering Caracas and conducting explosions near military installations before detaining Maduro and his wife.

U.S. President Donald Trump later praised the operation, announcing that Washington would temporarily “run” the country during an alleged political transition and invest in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Venezuela’s Supreme Court named vice-president Delcy Rodríguez as interim president, and the United Nations Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting to address what it termed threats to international peace and security.

In a separate statement reported by Vatican News, the Venezuelan Bishops’ Conference expressed solidarity with the nation and urged calm in the face of violence. Rejecting all forms of aggression, the bishops asked the faithful to persevere in prayer and to seek unity.

“May God grant all Venezuelans serenity, wisdom, and strength,” the message read, offering condolences to the wounded and to families who lost loved ones during the American operation. The bishops emphasized that any decisions taken in the coming days must be guided solely by the good of the people.

They appealed for hearts open to encounter and mutual assistance, insisting that peace begins with a rejection of violence and a renewed commitment to the common good. As global attention remains fixed on Venezuela, both Rome and the local Church are underscoring the same priority: that political outcomes must serve human dignity, especially for those who have already endured years of hardship.