Why Venezuela draws heightened attention from the Vatican
The Catholic Church is known for stepping into international affairs in an effort towards peace. But when it comes to Venezuela, there seems to be a bigger push.
That focus became more visible after Pope Leo XIV warned in his first major Vatican address that “war is in vogue,” and amid reports that the Holy See sought discussions with the United States over Venezuela in late December, shortly before U.S. forces captured President Nicolás Maduro.
Straight Arrow News spoke to Brian Flanagan, The John Cardinal Cody Chair of Catholic Theology at Loyola University Chicago. Flanagan is an expert in the Vatican and international diplomacy.
A key factor is Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, who previously served as papal nuncio to Venezuela during the final years of President Hugo Chávez’s rule. That experience gives the Vatican deep institutional knowledge of the country’s political and social landscape, analysts say, as well as longstanding relationships within the Venezuelan church and government.
“The secretary of state is not just a diplomatic figure,” Flanagan said. “He also functions as something like a prime minister for the Holy See, overseeing daily operations and advising the pope. Parolin’s background means Venezuela is very much on the Vatican’s radar.”
The Washington Post reported that Parolin summoned U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch II on Christmas Eve, according to documents obtained by the newspaper, as the Vatican explored diplomatic options related to Venezuela. Days later, the U.S. military launched airstrikes and captured Maduro and his wife, an operation U.S. President Donald Trump said was intended to enable a “safe, proper and judicious transition.”
Beyond institutional ties, Pope Leo XIV’s personal background has shaped the Vatican’s interest. Though U.S.-born, the pope is also a citizen of Peru and spent roughly a third of his life serving the church in Latin America. That experience has given him a close familiarity with the region’s politics, including authoritarian governments, economic instability and the church’s role in defending the poor and marginalized.
Flanagan said that background helps explain why the Vatican has avoided endorsing either Maduro’s leadership or his removal, instead emphasizing peace, dialogue and respect for international law.
The Vatican has long positioned itself as a neutral venue for dialogue, particularly when governments refuse to engage directly. During past Latin American crises, it has offered refuge or served as a back-channel intermediary — a role rooted in the modern papacy’s emphasis on peacebuilding rather than state power.
While Vatican officials have expressed concern about conditions under Maduro, they have also voiced unease about violent regime change and actions that could violate international norms. The Holy See’s priority, analysts say, is minimizing bloodshed while advocating for human rights, political prisoners and humanitarian relief.
That approach was underscored this week when Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado met privately with Leo at the Vatican. Machado said she asked the pope to intercede for Venezuelans she described as “kidnapped or missing” and raised concerns about political prisoners. The Vatican confirmed the meeting without elaboration.
Despite speculation that the pope may become more outspoken on Venezuela or other regional flashpoints, analysts caution against viewing Vatican policy through the lens of a single crisis.
“The Vatican thinks globally,” Flanagan said. “Venezuela matters, but it is one part of a broader concern about peace, justice, migration and the rule of law — and the pope is relying heavily on experienced diplomats to navigate those complexities.”
The Holy See has said it remains committed to promoting dialogue and defending international norms as tensions continue to rise across Latin America and beyond.
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Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
