Pope Leo has warned Donald Trump not to attack Venezuela in order to oust President Nicolas Maduro.
Leo, history's first American pope, told reporters aboard the papal plane returning from Lebanon that the Venezuelan bishops conference and the Vatican Embassy in Caracas were trying to calm the situation and look out for the plight of ordinary Venezuelans.
His intervention comes as the Trump administration sends a dozen warships and 15,000 troops to halt undocumented migrants and illegal drugs from Venezuela.
“The voices coming from the United States change, with a certain frequency at times,” he said. “On the one hand it seems there was a telephone conversation between the two presidents, on the other there's this danger, this possibility of an activity, an operation including invading the territory of Venezuela.”
He stressed that he did not have further information. “Again I believe it's better to look for ways of dialogue, perhaps pressure — including economic pressure — but looking for other ways to change, if that's what the United States wants to do.
Leo says he hopes to make his second trip as pope to Africa, visiting several countries but especially Algeria because of its important role in Christian-Muslim relations.
Leo, an Augustinian missionary, recalled that Algeria is also important in the life of St. Augustine, the fifth-century theologian that inspired his religious order and is his most-cited church father.
Leo also said he hoped to visit three countries in Latin America in either 2026 or 2027: Argentina, Uruguay and Peru, where he lived for two decades as a missionary. Argentina especially has been waiting for a papal visit after Pope Francis never went home after his 2013 election.
Leo was returning from his first trip as pope, to Turkey and Lebanon.
Pope notes southern Lebanon conflict to conclude first foreign trip
In his farewell speech at the Beirut airport at the conclusion of the first foreign trip of his pontificate Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV referenced the ongoing conflict in southern Lebanon, including “Biblical places,” and sent a message of support to the people of the south.
Christians in the south had been disappointed his visit did not include their areas, which were battered by last year's war between Israel and Hezbollah and are still the target of regular Israeli airstrikes.
“I greet all the regions of Lebanon that I was unable to visit: Tripoli and the north, the Beqaa and the south of the country, which is currently experiencing a state of conflict and uncertainty,” Leo said, referencing the cities of Sidon and Tyre, which are mentioned in the New Testament, as “biblical places.”
“May the attacks and hostilities cease,” he said. “We must recognize that armed struggle brings no benefit. While weapons are lethal, negotiation, mediation and dialogue are constructive.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun urged the pope to keep Lebanon in his prayers.
The Lebanese are “a faithful people who deserve life — who are worthy of it,” he said. “As we bid you farewell, we do not only part with an honored guest, but with a father who brought us comfort, and reminded us that the world has not forgotten Lebanon.”
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