Pope Leo XIV Decries Surge in Militarized Diplomacy, Urges Respect for Venezuelans' Will

Overview

• Calling for protection of human and civil rights, the Pope appealed for the Venezuelan people’s will to be respected following recent upheaval.
• He warned that “war is back in fashion” and condemned the replacement of dialogue with force, saying this erodes the rule of law.
• He voiced grave concern over rising tensions in the Caribbean and along the Pacific coasts, tying the worry to developments in Venezuela.
• News reports say a U.S. operation deposed and detained Nicolás Maduro and Cilia Flores, transferring them to a New York maximum‑security prison on narcotics‑related charges pending trial.
• He urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and endorsed a two‑state outcome for Israel and Palestine, denouncing escalating violence against civilians in the West Bank.