Speaking on Saturday, 17 January, on the sidelines of a public event, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, said the Holy See had attempted to prevent bloodshed in the country. “We tried what also appeared in some newspapers,” Parolin said, referring indirectly to recent media reports about diplomatic initiatives involving Maduro.
Parolin stressed that the Vatican has consistently supported a negotiated and non-violent outcome for Venezuela but acknowledged that events unfolded beyond its control. “We have always supported a peaceful solution,” he said, adding that the Holy See ultimately faced “a fait accompli, a situation on the ground,” following Maduro’s capture by US forces earlier this month.
The cardinal described the current situation in Venezuela as one of “great uncertainty” and expressed hope that the country could move towards stability and economic recovery. “The situation is very precarious, and people are suffering,” he said, underlining that a process of democratization is now necessary for Venezuela’s future.
Although Parolin did not provide specific details, international media reported earlier this month that the Vatican had explored the possibility of negotiating a form of asylum for Maduro, potentially involving Russia, in an effort to secure a peaceful exit before his arrest.
Pope Leo XIV has referred repeatedly to the Venezuelan crisis in recent speeches, most recently addressing the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, where he called for respect for the will of the Venezuelan people and renewed efforts to pursue peaceful solutions.
Maduro was captured on 3 January following US military operations in Caracas and surrounding regions and was transferred to New York to face charges related to narco-terrorism. Two days later, former vice-president Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of interim president by order of Venezuela’s Supreme Court.
