After the Angelus prayer on January 4, 2026, Pope Leo XIV expressed grave concern about the rapidly developing crisis in Venezuela, marking the Holy See’s first public statement since the U.S. military operation that resulted in the arrest and removal of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife from Caracas. Speaking from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square, the Pope emphasized that the welfare of the Venezuelan people must come before all other considerations and called for the country’s sovereignty to be upheld.
He urged an immediate end to violence and appealed to political leaders to follow “paths of justice and peace,” rooted in respect for national sovereignty, constitutional norms, and the civil and human rights of all citizens.
“The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail,” the Pope said, envisioning a future defined by cooperation, stability, and harmony.
His remarks reflected the Holy See’s long-standing diplomatic stance, which prioritizes dialogue, respect for law, and the defense of those most at risk—especially the poor, who continue to bear the brunt of the country’s economic collapse.
The Pope also called on Catholics around the world to pray for Venezuela, placing the nation under the protection of Our Lady of Coromoto, honored at the National Shrine in Guanare, as well as the recently canonized Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles. In this way, he presented the situation not only as a geopolitical crisis but also as a spiritual challenge demanding unity and hope.
The Angelus appeal was delivered only hours after U.S. special forces launched a nighttime operation on January 3, entering Caracas and setting off explosions near military sites before detaining Maduro and his wife.
U.S. President Donald Trump subsequently commended the operation, stating that Washington would assume a temporary governing role during what he described as a political transition and would move to invest in Venezuela’s oil sector.
At the same time, Venezuela’s Supreme Court appointed Vice President Delcy Rodríguez as acting president, while the United Nations Security Council called an emergency session to examine what it characterized as risks to international peace and stability.