In a significant and unannounced diplomatic encounter, Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with Venezuelan opposition figure and Nobel laureate, María Corina Machado, at the Vatican this week.
A Private Audience for Venezuela's Future
The meeting took place on Monday, January 12, within the library of the Vatican Apostolic Palace. This engagement was notably absent from the day's official schedule, adding to its significance. A brief video released by the Holy See showed the Pope and Machado shaking hands and sharing a smile as they sat at the papal desk in his official office.
Following the audience, Machado, through the Venezuelan opposition coalition Comando con Venezuela, issued a statement on the social media platform X. She expressed that she sought the Pontiff's assistance in securing the release of more than 1,000 political prisoners held in Venezuela and for an immediate transition to democracy in the South American nation.
Machado's Appeal to the Pontiff
"Today, I had the blessing and honor of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his monitoring of events in our country," Machado stated. She conveyed to Pope Leo XIV the resilience of the Venezuelan people, who remain steadfast in their prayers for freedom. The opposition leader also asked the Pope to intercede for all Venezuelans who are kidnapped or missing.
In their discussion, Machado reiterated that the true will of the Venezuelan people was expressed in the 2024 presidential election. She pointed to the victory of candidate Edmundo González, a result that was later overturned by the Venezuelan election authority, which remains loyal to the regime of Nicolás Maduro.
The opposition coalition's statement further noted that Machado highlighted the profound spiritual struggle faced by Venezuelans. She indicated that with the support of the Church and unprecedented pressure from the U.S. government, the defeat of what she termed 'evil' in Venezuela is nearing.
High-Level Vatican Diplomacy
After her meeting with Pope Leo XIV, María Corina Machado also held discussions with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State. This underscores the high-level diplomatic nature of her visit to the Holy See.
This papal audience occurs in a dramatically altered political landscape. It comes just over a week after a major event: the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, on January 3. The couple was apprehended in a U.S. military operation authorized by President Donald Trump. They have since been transported to New York, where they are currently facing serious charges of narco-terrorism conspiracy.
The Vatican's engagement with a key opposition leader at such a pivotal moment signals the Catholic Church's ongoing concern and potential role in fostering dialogue and resolution during Venezuela's profound crisis.
