Pope Leo has issued a direct appeal to the administration of US president Donald Trump, urging against the use of military force to remove Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro.
The first American pontiff suggested that dialogue or economic sanctions would be a more appropriate course of action should Washington seek to instigate change in the South American nation.
The Trump administration has been considering various measures, citing President Maduroâs alleged involvement in supplying illicit drugs linked to American fatalities.
The socialist Venezuelan president has denied having any links to the illegal drug trade.
Asked during a news conference about Mr Trumpâs threats to remove Mr Maduro by force, Leo said: âIt is better to search for ways of dialogue, or perhaps pressure, including economic pressure.â
The Pope, speaking as he flew home from a visit to Turkey and Lebanon, his first overseas trip, added that Washington should search for other ways to achieve change âif that is what they want to do in the United Statesâ.
It was reported last month that options under US consideration include an attempt to overthrow the Venezuelan leader, and that the US military is poised for a new phase of operations after a massive military buildup in the Caribbean and nearly three months of strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats off Venezuelaâs coast.
Leo, answering a journalistâs question, also said the signals coming from the Trump administration about its policy toward Venezuela were unclear.
âOn one hand, it seems there was a call between the two presidents,â said the Pope, referring to a phone call that Mr Trump had with Mr Maduro last month.
âOn the other hand, there is the danger, there is the possibility there will be some activity, some (military) operation.â
âThe voices that come from the United States, they change with a certain frequency,â added Leo.
The Pope, elected in May and originally from Chicago, is familiar with Latin America because he spent long years as a cleric in Peru.
