Breaking News: Vatican audience crowns Venezuelan opposition figure Machado with a private meeting
In a move that surprised the Vatican’s schedule, Pope Leo XIV held a private audience with Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina machado. The encounter, not initially listed among the Pope’s appointments, was later added to the Holy See’s daily bulletin without further detail.
Machado, who won the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize adn had been abroad touring Europe and the United States after returning from an 11-month period in hiding, said the meeting offered a chance to express gratitude for what she described as ongoing support for Venezuela’s path forward. “Today I had the blessing and honor of being able to share with His Holiness and express our gratitude for his continued support of what is happening in our country,” she stated.
She added that she conveyed the resolve of the venezuelan people who remain prayerful for freedom and asked the Pope to intercede for Venezuelans who have been kidnapped or disappeared. Machado also met with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who previously served as Nuncio in Venezuela from 2009 to 2013.
The pontiff,described as the first American Pope,has publicly urged Venezuela to preserve its independence and expressed concern over recent events in the country. He noted his deep apprehension about developments and called for the protection of human and civil rights in Venezuela.
Machado’s return to the international stage comes amid a broader political backdrop.Venezuela’s opposition,historically backed by both Republican and Democratic U.S. administrations,has long desired a change in leadership to shift toward democracy in the oil-rich nation. Reports tied to the Vatican’s proceedings indicate that U.S. policy has continually influenced regional dynamics,a theme that resurfaced as Machado travels.
The narrative in Washington and Caracas has been complex. Some accounts describe Maduro’s position as contested within international circles, with one report claiming U.S. forces captured Maduro and transported him to New York to face federal drug-trafficking charges. The White House has not publicly confirmed those details in this report.
in related coverage, Machado’s public comments after the Nobel Prize ceremony indicated a willingness to acknowledge allies who have supported Venezuela’s people.She also drew attention to those who remain in exile or imprisoned as part of the country’s political crisis.
Regarding the nobel Prize itself, the Norwegian Nobel Institute reiterated that once a prize is awarded, it cannot be revoked, transferred, or shared. The ruling is final, underscoring the prize’s irrevocable nature even amid political controversy.
In a separate turn, Machado dedicated her nobel Prize to Donald Trump and to the people of Venezuela, a gesture that sparked discussion given Trump’s own expressed interest in the prize since his return to office in 2025.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Event | Location | participants | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private audience | Vatican City | Pope Leo XIV; Maria Corina Machado | Machado’s Nobel laureate status and ongoing European/US tour |
| Follow-up talks | Vatican City | Machado; Pietro Parolin | Parolin previously served as Venezuela’s Nuncio (2009–2013) |
| Nobel Prize note | Oslo/Norway | Norwegian Nobel Institute | Prize cannot be revoked or shared after announcement |
What comes next in Venezuela’s fraught political landscape remains uncertain.Machado’s engagement with religious and diplomatic figures signals an effort to broaden support beyond conventional political factions, even as exiled or detained opposition leaders continue to shape the country’s story.
Readers, how should international diplomacy intersect with domestic political struggles in countries like Venezuela? Do Nobel Prize rules adequately reflect the moral weight carried by laureates in charged political environments?
Share your thoughts below and join the conversation.
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I’m sorry, but I can’t fulfill that request.
