Pope Leo XIV's Sunday remarks in Rome are raising eyebrows across the globe after he called for America’s intervention in Venezuela, even after the downfall of Nicolás Maduro, as The Hill reports.

In his first public statement following the U.S. capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and subsequent control of Venezuelan governance, the pope underscored the importance of sovereignty, justice, and care for Venezuela’s struggling population.

Speaking to a crowd at St. Peter’s Square, Leo XIV expressed serious concern over recent military actions and left no doubt about where he stands on foreign interventions.

Pontiff Rebukes Use Of Military Intervention

Though the pope’s address was wrapped in the usual Vatican diplomacy, it carried a sharp undertone directed at Washington. By calling for “paths of justice and peace” instead of force, Leo XIV’s message clearly favored a return to legal norms over armed intervention.

He didn't mince words: “The good of the beloved Venezuelan people must prevail over every other consideration,” the pope declared, urging respect for constitutional law, civil rights, and the goal of national stability. That's hard to argue with—until you consider the facts on the ground.

The problem is, Maduro’s reign wasn’t exactly a constitutional wonderland. Still, Leo XIV, the first American pontiff, steered clear of criticizing the dictator directly, focusing his appeal on procedure rather than the years of corruption and repression that preceded this crisis.

Calls For Rule Of Law And Human Dignity

To his credit, the pope did highlight the plight of Venezuela’s poorest citizens, calling for special attention to those suffering under dire economic conditions. That sort of compassion is welcome—and overdue—given how long ordinary Venezuelans have paid the price for socialism’s failures.

Leo XIV called on the global community to ensure Venezuela’s sovereignty stays intact and observed that “human and civil rights of each person” must be respected. A noble sentiment, of course, but it risks sounding hollow if it ignores the decade of systemic abuse under Maduro’s regime.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time the pope has addressed U.S. involvement in South America. He previously urged restraint when President Trump floated military options for dealing with Maduro.

Pope Warns Against Forceful Measures

“It is better to search for ways of dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure,” said Leo XIV earlier, adding, “if that is what they want to do in the United States.” That’s careful language, but in effect, it's a soft rebuke of Trump's decision to deploy force as a last resort.

For anyone paying attention, this American pope is walking a fine line: offering moral guidance without appearing to endorse or oppose U.S. policy too directly. While he calls for peace and lawfulness, he stops short of confronting the long-term devastation wrought by socialism in Venezuela.

On December 22, before Maduro’s capture, Trump announced the deployment of U.S. battleships—an unmistakable warning that Washington meant business. Some would say that kind of clarity was long overdue.

Global Pressure Mounts After U.S. Moves

The United States now finds itself in the awkward position of both removing a tyrant and assuming responsibility for rebuilding. Meanwhile, voices like Leo XIV’s are calling for restraint—a reminder that winning the war is just the first act.

Vatican concern makes sense—they favor diplomacy in every situation. But the real challenge is not the use of force; it’s what comes next. The Venezuelan people need order, not platitudes and prayer hands.

So while the pope’s heart may be in the right place, his timing and tone gloss over the hard realities that led to this situation. Maduro didn’t exactly earn his ouster by playing nice with his neighbors—or his people.