In his first major speech from the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV warned that “war is in vogue.” A recent report show the Vatican attempted negotiations with the United States regarding Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
The Washington Post reported Cardinal Pietro Parolin summoned U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch on Christmas Eve. Documents obtained by the Post show Parolin also reached out to Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The cardinal said Russia was ready to grant asylum to Maduro.
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The United States military carried out air strikes on Venezuela early the morning of Jan. 3 and captured Maduro and his wife. U.S. President Donald Trump, at a news conference after the strikes, said “we’re going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition.”
Trump ordered the strike at 10:46 p.m Friday night. At that point, aircraft began launching from 20 different bases across the Western Hemisphere. The goal was to ensure safe passage of the helicopters for the ground component into the compound. Once Maduro and his wife were secured, they were helicoptered out. They eventually embarked the USS Iwo Jima.
Maduro pleaded not guilty Jan. 5 to U.S. drug trafficking charges. This was his first public appearance after an extraordinary special forces attack by the United States, leading to his arrest.
“I’m innocent,” Maduro said through an interpreter, according to The Associated Press. “I am not guilty. I am a decent man.”
The Venezuelan leader is charged with four counts, including narco-terrorism conspiracy. The U.S. first unsealed criminal charges against Maduro and officials in his administration in March 2020, during Trump’s first term.
Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, also pleaded not guilty.
Vatican response
“It is disappointing that parts of a confidential conversation were disclosed that do not accurately reflect the content of the conversation itself, which took place during the Christmas period,” the Vatican responded to The Post.
Straight Arrow News requested the documents from the Holy See. We will update the story as the information becomes available.
