Pope Leo XIV addressed a wide range of global conflicts and diplomatic efforts during a press conference following his recent trip to Lebanon. The Pope reiterated his opposition to military intervention in Venezuela, acknowledging reported communications between former U.S.President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro,and outlined the Vatican’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions. His remarks, made to Spanish-speaking journalists aboard his flight to Rome on Tuesday, also included plans for potential trips to Algeria, Latin America, and further dialogue initiatives in the Middle East amid ongoing regional instability.
Pope Leo XIV has voiced opposition to potential U.S. military intervention in Venezuela, including a proposed ground invasion, and acknowledged recent direct communication between former President Donald Trump and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. The Pope’s remarks, made during a flight from Lebanon to Rome on Tuesday, come as Washington weighs its options regarding the political situation in Caracas. This development highlights the complex international dynamics surrounding Venezuela’s future and the potential for escalating tensions in the region.
Responding to questions about an ultimatum issued by the White House demanding Maduro relinquish power by last Friday, and the threat of military action, Pope Leo XIV emphasized the importance of pursuing dialogue and other avenues for change. “It is better to seek ways of dialogue, perhaps pressure, even economic pressure, but looking for another way to change things if that is what the United States decides to do,” he stated.
The Pope, who is of both American and Peruvian nationality, indicated that the Vatican is actively working to de-escalate the situation through diplomatic channels. “Regarding Venezuela, at the level of the episcopal conference, with the nuncio, we are looking for ways to calm the situation, to seek above all the good of the people, because those who suffer in these situations are the people, not the authorities,” he explained to a group of Spanish-speaking journalists.
He acknowledged reports of shifting signals from Washington, including a recent phone conversation between Trump and Maduro, while also noting the ongoing risk of a military operation within Venezuelan territory. “I don’t know more than that,” he said, reiterating his opposition to any violent solution.
During the same press conference, Pope Leo XIV addressed a range of other international issues. He confirmed plans for a future trip to Algeria, motivated by a desire to visit sites associated with Saint Augustine and to foster dialogue between the Christian and Muslim worlds. He also indicated potential subsequent visits to other African nations, including Cameroon, though specific dates remain unconfirmed.
The Pope also touched on the possibility of a trip to Latin America, stating that a visit in 2026 or 2027 is under consideration. He specifically mentioned Argentina, Uruguay, and Peru as potential destinations, adding that a visit to Peru could be extended to neighboring countries. The prospect of a papal visit to the region could offer a significant morale boost and a platform for addressing social and political challenges.
Responding to a question about concerns among some Europeans regarding the rise of Islam, Pope Leo XIV acknowledged the existence of fears fueled by anti-immigration sentiment. He emphasized the importance of the interfaith dialogue exemplified by his recent trip to Turkey and Lebanon, stating, “One of the values of this trip is to draw the world’s attention to the possibility that dialogue and friendship between Christians and Muslims is possible.”
Pope Leo XIV also revealed that he has been engaged in behind-the-scenes efforts to mediate conflicts in the Middle East, holding meetings with figures representing political authorities and groups involved in regional disputes. “Our work is mainly not a public thing, that we talk on the street, but behind the scenes,” he explained. “It is something we have already done and will continue to do, to try to convince the parties to lay down their arms and violence and come together at the negotiating table.”
He confirmed having received a message from the Lebanese Shiite and pro-Iranian militia Hezbollah prior to his arrival in Lebanon, but declined to disclose the details of his subsequent conversation with a Shiite leader. “Evidently, on the part of the Church, there is the proposal that they lay down their arms, because we seek dialogue, but I cannot say more than that,” he said.
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Pope Leo XIV defended the role of Europe in peace negotiations, referencing a plan proposed by Donald Trump. “It is evident that the President of the United States thinks he can promote a peace plan and that at least initially it was without Europe. But the presence of Europe, in fact, is important, and that first proposal has been modified, also by what Europe was saying,” he noted. He specifically highlighted the potential for Italy to serve as a mediator, a sentiment likely to be welcomed by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. “I believe that Italy could be very important precisely because culturally, historically, it has a capacity to be an intermediary in the midst of a conflict,” he said, adding that the Holy See “can encourage this type of mediation” to seek a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
The Pope also offered a lighthearted observation about the media’s tendency to interpret his expressions, joking, “You think you can read my mind or my face, but you are not always right.” He also revealed that he had been contemplating retirement when he was elected Pope and recommended the book The Practice of the Presence of God by Father Lawrence, a 17th-century Carmelite friar, as a resource for understanding his predecessor, Robert Prevost.
