Nicolas Maduro

Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Angelus on January 4, 2026. In his message after the prayer, the pope called for respecting Venezuela's sovereignty and constitution following the capture by U.S. forces of the country's President Nicolás Maduro. / Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Respect for Venezuelan Sovereignty after U.S. Capture of President Maduro

Jan 4, 2026

Pope Leo XIV 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.

Fires are seen in Caracas, Venezuela after the U.S. launched what President Donald Trump described as a "large scale strike" that included the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, Saturday, Jan. 3, 2025. Credit: STR / Getty

President Trump Announces Capture of Maduro Following U.S. Strikes on Venezuela

Jan 3, 2026

Residents reported shaking windows and columns of smoke rising from strategic locations, including military bases.

Nicolas Maduro

Pope Leo XIV Calls for Respect for Venezuelan Sovereignty after U.S. Capture of President Maduro

President Trump Announces Capture of Maduro Following U.S. Strikes on Venezuela

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