Overview
- The Holy See confirmed the meeting in its daily bulletin and provided no information on its content or duration.
- Machado’s team and her party, Vente Venezuela, said she asked the pontiff to intercede for the release of all political detainees.
- The audience followed Pope Leo XIV’s recent call to respect the Venezuelan people’s will and reporting that Vatican diplomacy had explored exile options for Nicolás Maduro before his U.S. capture.
- Discrepancies persist over recent releases, with the government claiming 116 people freed while NGO Foro Penal says it has verified 17; Italian officials reported the liberation of two citizens, Alberto Trentini and Mario Burló.
- The meeting comes as Machado continues an international push, with a White House visit to see President Trump expected this week.