‘Deep concern’: American Pope Leo troubled by U.S. action in Venezuela, gets pushback from Catholics
PALM BEACH, Florida – Pope Leo XIV, the first American pontiff in history, is reacting to the U.S. capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro by expressing “deep concern” and a call to prayer.
In a Sunday morning post on X, the head of the Roman Catholic Church said: “It is with deep concern that I am following the developments in Venezuela.
“The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration. This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace.
“I pray for all this, and I invite you to pray too, entrusting our prayer to the intercession of Our Lady of Coromoto, and to Saints José Gregorio Hernández and Carmen Rendiles.
Leo concluded with a hashtag saying “#PrayTogether.”
It is with deep concern that I am following the developments in Venezuela. The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration. This must lead to the overcoming of violence, and to the pursuit of paths of justice and peace. I pray for all this,…
— Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) January 4, 2026
The pope got immediate reaction to his plea, including:
“Holy Father, The church throughout history has consistently stated that Catholics cannot be communists. The tyranny and death count under Maduro has been extreme. Can you tell us if you agree with the likes of Pope Leo XIII & Pope Pius XII when it comes to the evil that is communism? This post is ambiguous.”
“Holy Father, were your prayers as vigorous as Maduro was destroying his country, murdering dissidents and dispossessing them of everything for the past 26 years, inflicting untold misery on millions?”
One conservative Catholic pro-lifer with the X handle of @Huskypalooza shared a post by journalist Emily Schrader of Maduro’s violence, saying: “Never forget what Maduro did, to his own people!!!”
https://t.co/y1SlR6VqYE. Never forget what Maduro did, to his own people!!! https://t.co/8I450icE4J
— Siberpaws (@Huskypalooza) January 4, 2026
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