Pope Calls for U.S. to Pursue Dialogue With Venezuela

Pope Leo XVI has called on the United States to pursue dialogue—and, if necessary, economic pressure—rather than threats of military action in its dealings with Venezuela, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The Venezuelan bishops’ conference and the Vatican Embassy in Caracas have been working to calm the situation and safeguard the well-being of ordinary Venezuelans. (Photo: Catholic Bishops Conference / Catholic Church England and Wales) 

History’s first American pope told reporters aboard the papal plane returning from Lebanon that the Venezuelan bishops’ conference and the Vatican Embassy in Caracas have been working to calm the situation and safeguard the well-being of ordinary Venezuelans.

"The voices coming from the U.S. change with a certain frequency at times,” he said.

“On the one hand, it seems there was a telephone conversation between the two presidents; on the other, there’s this danger, this possibility of an activity, an operation, including invading the territory of Venezuela.”

He added: “I believe it’s better to look for ways of dialogue—perhaps pressure, including economic pressure—but looking for other ways to change, if that’s what the U.S. wants to do.”