Venezuelan President at the Vatican

This evening, the Holy Father received in private audience His Excellency, Mr. Nicolás Maduro Moros, President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. The meeting took place within the framework of the worrisome political, social and economic situation that the country is going through – a situation that is having serious repercussions in the daily lives of the entire population.

Through this meeting, Pope Francis, who has at heart the welfare of all Venezuelans, desired to continue to offer his contribution to the country's institutionality and everything that will help to resolve the outstanding issues and build trust between the various parties.

Therefore, the Pope invited the President to courageously undertake the path of sincere and constructive dialogue, to alleviate the suffering of the people – first of all, those who are poor – and to promote a climate of renewed social cohesion which would offer a vision forward with hope for the future of the nation.