Overview
- During the Jan. 4 Angelus, the Pope urged guaranteeing Venezuela's sovereignty, upholding the constitution, and respecting human and civil rights.
- He called for an end to violence and for concrete paths toward justice and peace with special attention to those suffering economic hardship.
- Coverage by Italian outlets placed his remarks after reports of a U.S. operation in Venezuela and the arrest of Nicolás Maduro.
- Il Giornale reported that he did not explicitly condemn the U.S. action, framing his message around the welfare of the Venezuelan people.
- He also expressed solidarity and offered prayers for victims and families affected by the tragedy in Crans-Montana, Switzerland.