Pope Leo voices 'deep concern' over Venezuela after US capture of Maduro

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- After praying the Sunday Angelus, Pope Leo XIV said he was following the developments in Venezuela with "deep concern," in light of the United States' military operation that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro over the weekend.

"The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration," the pope said Jan. 4 from the papal studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square.

"This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country, ensuring the rule of law enshrined in its constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person, and working together to build a peaceful future of cooperation, stability and harmony, with special attention to the poorest who are suffering because of the difficult economic situation." 

Pope Leo also met Jan. 5 with Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the papal nuncio to the United States, who serves as the pope's personal ambassador and top Vatican diplomat in the country.

The Catholic bishops' conference of Venezuela issued a statement Jan. 3 on social media, calling for prayers and standing in solidarity with those who were injured in the attack and families of those who died.

"In the face of the events that our country is experiencing today, let us ask God to grant all Venezuelans serenity, wisdom and strength," the bishops' statement said in Spanish.

"We call on the people of God to live more intensely in hope and fervent prayer for peace in our hearts and in society, and we reject any type of violence," they continued in a second post. "May our hands be open for encounter and mutual help, and may the decisions that are made always be for the good of our people."

On Jan. 3, President Donald Trump ordered an early morning raid in Caracas, during which U.S. special forces captured Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, and struck several military bases.

The operation left political uncertainty for the South American country. Trump said in a Jan. 3 news conference that a U.S. group will work with "the people of Venezuela" to determine next steps.

"We're going to rebuild the oil infrastructure, which will cost billions of dollars. It'll be paid for by the oil companies directly," he told the press at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

"We're going to have a group of people running it until such time as it can be put back on track, make a lot of money for the people, and give people a great way of life, and also reimbursement for people in our country that were forced out of Venezuela," he said.

Trump signaled the United States was prepared to maintain a long-term role in Venezuela's governance if necessary, saying the U.S. is "ready to go again if we have to. We're going to run the country right."

In her first speech as Venezuela's interim leader, Delcy Rodríguez, the vice president and oil minister, responded to the operation, saying the U.S. violated international law and that Maduro remains president.