Pope Leo XIV received Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado in a private audience on January 12, 2026, at the Vatican. The meeting, which was not initially listed on the Pope’s public schedule, was later confirmed in the Holy See’s daily bulletin, highlighting the Vatican’s ongoing concern over the political and humanitarian situation in Venezuela.
Machado, who has been touring Europe and the United States after reappearing following several months in hiding, reportedly addressed urgent issues such as the release of political prisoners and a democratic transition in her country. Sources close to the opposition leader indicated that she asked the Pope to intercede on behalf of human rights and civil liberties during this critical period.
The private meeting took place at the Apostolic Palace and reinforces the Vatican’s active role in international diplomacy, particularly on matters related to peace, justice, and human rights.
Does this meeting signal stronger Vatican support for a democratic transition in Venezuela?
Possibly. While no official details of the conversation were released, the Pope’s decision to receive Machado, a key figure in Venezuelan politics, suggests deep concern for the country’s future and the well-being of its people.