Pope Francis Urges Dialogue and Peace in Venezuela

Pope Francis emphasized the importance of “dialogue” and “making peace” in Venezuela during a press conference on his return flight from Asia and Oceania. When asked about his message to the country following the recent elections, the Pope expressed his concerns about the situation.

Francis acknowledged that he had not been closely following the situation in Venezuela but stressed that his message to the rulers is one of dialogue and peace. He also cautioned that “dictatorships are useless and sooner or later they end badly.”

The Pope reiterated his call for the people of Venezuela to work towards finding a path of peace. He refrained from giving a political opinion, citing his lack of knowledge about the details of the situation. However, he noted that the Venezuelan bishops have spoken out on the issue, and their message is the one that counts.

The Venezuelan bishops have previously urged President Nicolás Maduro to release the electoral records, stating that ignoring the popular sovereignty manifested by voting is “morally unacceptable” and deviates from truth and justice.

During the Pope’s visit to Asia, Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia arrived in Spain seeking political asylum. This came after a court in Venezuela issued an arrest warrant against him following the disclosure of electoral records that could prove his victory in the July 28 presidential elections.