STORY: During his Sunday Angelus prayer on Sunday (January 4) Pope Leo called for Venezuela to remain an independent nation and said he was following developments after the United States' toppling of President Nicolas Maduro with a "soul full of concern".

Leo, the first American pope, also called for respect for human rights and the rule of law "as enshrined" in Venezuela's constitution.

"The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over any other consideration and lead to overcome violence and embark on paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country", the Pope told pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday said the U.S. would take control of oil-rich Venezuela after ordering a raid to capture Maduro, who is currently being held in a New York detention center awaiting drug charges.

Leo, who has criticized some of Trump's right-wing policies, in December had urged the U.S. president not to oust Maduro using military force.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: VATICAN CITY (JANUARY 4, 2026) (VATICAN MEDIA - Access all)

1. POPE LEO APPEARING FROM WINDOW OF PAPAL APARTMENTS

2. PEOPLE IN ST PETER'S SQUARE

3. POPE LEO GREETING THE CROWD

4. VIEW OF ST PETER SQUARE

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"With a soul full of concern, I follow developments in Venezuela. The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over any other consideration and lead to overcome violence and embark on paths of justice and peace, guaranteeing the sovereignty of the country. Ensuring the rule of law enshrined in the Constitution, respecting the human and civil rights of each and every person, and working together to build a peaceful future of collaboration, stability and harmony, with special attention to the poorest who are suffering because of the difficult economic situation. For this I pray and I invite you to pray".

6. WOMAN HOLDING VENEZUELAN FLAG

7. NUNS PRAYING

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Italian) POPE LEO SAYING:

"Dear brothers and sisters, I wish to express once again my closeness to all those who are suffering as a result of the tragedy happened in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. I assure you of my prayers for the young people who have died, for the injured and for their families".

9. VIEW OF ST PETER SQUARE