Pope warns against US military intervention in Venezuela

Pope Leo XIV has called on the US administration of President Donald Trump to refrain from trying to overthrow Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro by military force. Returning from a trip to Turkey and Lebanon, he stressed that the more appropriate way would be to seek dialogue or economic pressure.

The first American to lead the Catholic Church also revealed that at the moment of his election, he placed everything in God's hands. "You lead, Lord," he said, in his own words, at the time he realized he might be chosen to succeed Pope Francis.

He had returned from his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon, and during a press conference aboard the plane, he described how he had accepted the responsibility of leading the Church.

Former Cardinal Robert Prevost, who served for many years as a missionary in Peru, will become head of the Catholic Church in 2022. Today, he admits that he is still getting used to the media attention and noted with humour that journalists often overestimate his mimicry.

As part of his future travels, he is considering a visit to Africa, specifically Algeria, where he would like to develop dialogue with the Muslim community. He also mentioned South America - Argentina, Uruguay and Peru.

(reuters, mja)