Archive · 13 Jan 2026
Machado Meets Pope, Trump for Venezuela Support
Mario Corina Machado, a leader from Venezuela, met with Pope Leo to ask for help.
She wants the Pope to support the release of people who are imprisoned for political reasons in her country.
This meeting happened after the United States captured the former president of Venezuela, Nicolas Maduro.
The Pope has said that using the military to solve problems is not a good idea and that everyone should respect human rights.
Machado also thanked the US President, Donald Trump, for capturing Maduro.
Meanwhile, the group that gives out the Nobel Peace Prize said that the prize cannot be shared with anyone else.
Machado is also scheduled to meet Trump at the White House to discuss the situation in Venezuela.
Mario Corina Machado met Pope Leo to seek support for democratic transition and release of political prisoners in Venezuela.
The meeting occurred after the US captured former Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, and Delcy Rodríguez was sworn in as acting president.
Machado urged the Pope to intercede for political prisoners and thanked US President Trump for capturing Maduro.
Pope Leo criticized the use of military force and called for the protection of human rights in Venezuela.
Machado is scheduled to meet Trump at the White House on Thursday.
- Who
- Mario Corina Machado, Pope Leo, Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump, Delcy Rodríguez
- What
- Machado met Pope Leo to seek support for democratic transition and release of political prisoners in Venezuela; Machado to meet Trump at the White House
- When
- January 23, upcoming meeting on Thursday
- Where
- Vatican, White House
- Why
- To seek global support for democratic transition and address political turmoil in Venezuela
Machado's Perspective
Pope's Perspective
Use of Military Force
Machado's Perspective
Machado thanked US President Trump for capturing Maduro, implying support for military action.
Pope's Perspective
Pope Leo criticized the use of military force, calling for the protection of human rights instead.
- Individuals Involved
- Mario Corina Machado, Pope Leo, Nicolas Maduro, Donald Trump, Delcy Rodríguez
- Event Date
- January 23
- Location
- Vatican, White House
- Key Issue
- Release of political prisoners in Venezuela
- Diplomatic Context
- US capture of Nicolas Maduro, swearing-in of Delcy Rodríguez as acting president
- Pope's Stance
- Criticized use of military force, called for human rights protection
- Nobel Committee Statement
- Peace Prize cannot be shared, revoked, or transferred
- Upcoming Meeting
- Machado to meet Trump at the White House on Thursday
Sources
Venezuela’s Machado meets Pope Leo, seeks support for release of political prisoners
Venezuela’s Machado asks Pope Leo to press for release of prisoners
Trump to meet Venezuela’s opposition leader Machado on Thursday, says White House official
Trump To Meet Venezuela Opposition Leader Machado On Thursday