Venezuela

The Latest

Pope Francis.

Vatican urges Venezuela to suspend constitutional revision

Aug 4, 2017

By Elise Harris

As tensions and deaths continue to rise in Venezuela over the government's push to re-write their constitution, the Holy See... Read more

Violence during protests in Venezuela.

Shots fired at people voting outside church in Venezuela

Jul 17, 2017

Armed civilians who support the Venezuelan regime opened fire against a large crowd of protestors who were participating in a... Read more

Venezuela Flag.

Venezuelans travel to Fatima with a plea for their country

May 15, 2017

By Elise Harris

Jose Antonio dos Santos, an immigrant from Venezuela now living in Barcelona, made his way to Fatima for the centenary... Read more

In Venezuela, garbage dumps have become places to eat

May 11, 2017

Garbage dumps have become “a regular place for people to eat” in Venezuela, says a local priest lamenting the nation's... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter Square, Feb. 22, 2017.

Don't let Venezuelans fall into despair, Pope tells bishops

May 8, 2017

In response to Venezuela's violent riots, inflated prices, and political mistrust, Pope Francis urged the country's bishops to continue promoting... Read more

Pope Francis before the leading the Regina Coeli in St. Peter's Square April 30, 201.

Francis prays for victims of the ongoing crisis in Venezuela

Apr 30, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

In his Regina Coeli address on Sunday, Pope Francis called attention to the violence in Venezuela, offering up his prayers... Read more

Violence during protests in Venezuela.

Venezuelan Catholics face backlash for opposing government

Feb 23, 2017

After speaking against alleged government misconduct, human rights abuses and delay of free elections, Catholic churches and clergy around Venezuela... Read more

Violence during protests in Venezuela.

Archbishop: There's a 'bloodbath' going on in Venezuela

Jan 31, 2017

When asked by a reporter about the threat of civil war in his country, Archbishop Ubaldo Santana of Maracaibo responded... Read more

Red cardinal's biretta.

New Venezuelan cardinal says country's crisis prompted red hat

Nov 18, 2016

By Elise Harris

Venezuelan Archbishop Baltazar Enrique Porras Cardozo is one of the Pope's picks from the peripheries who will get a red... Read more

Pope Francis aboard the papal plane during his Oct. 31-Nov. 1 trip to Sweden.

Full text: Pope Francis' in-flight presser from Sweden

Nov 1, 2016

During his flight from Sweden to Rome on Tuesday, Pope Francis gave a press conference to the journalists assembled aboard... Read more

The flag of Venezuela.

Pope Francis talks nationwide crisis in meeting with Venezuela's Maduro

Oct 25, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Monday Pope Francis met with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, head of the country’s socialist regime, at the Vatican to... Read more

Venezuelan government blasted for blocking Church aid

Jul 11, 2016

A top Venezuelan prelate slammed president Nicolás Maduro's lack of “moral authority” in calling for peace while preventing the Church... Read more

Colombia's flag.

Catholics in Colombia assist thousands of their brethren forced out of Venezuela

Aug 27, 2015

With thousands of Colombian residents of Venezuela being driven from their homes amid a border crisis and martial law, the... Read more

Venezuela's bishops caution against the adoption of no-fault divorce

Jul 16, 2015

The Venezuelan bishops last week warned that marriage and families in their nation will be weakened as a result of... Read more

Venezuela flag.

Venezuelan hunger strikers arrive at the Vatican with a plea

Jun 11, 2015

By Elise Harris

Two Venezuelans on a hunger strike came to Rome ahead of Pope Francis' scheduled meeting with their president, asking the... Read more

Gustavo Adolfo Franco Picaza of Maracaibo, Venezuela holds a sign with his gratitude for winning the contest.

Venezuelan wins trip to Holy Land for Pope's visit

May 16, 2014

A 22-year-old Venezuelan man has won a contest held by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism to travel to the Holy Land... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims during his General Audience on September 25, 2013

Pope responds to Venezuelan peace talks invitation

Apr 11, 2014

By Elise Harris

Responding to an invitation from Venezuela's foreign affairs minister to participate in the country’s peace talks, Pope Francis sent a... Read more

Protesters run from riot police on Feb. 15, 2014 in Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela.

Venezuelan government invites Vatican to peace talks

Apr 10, 2014

Venezuela's foreign affairs minister, Elias Jaua, has sent a letter to the Vatican, inviting its participation in the National Peace... Read more

Protesters run from riot police on Feb. 15, 2014 in Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela.

Cardinal encourages Lenten prayers for Venezuela

Mar 18, 2014

Cardinal Jorge Urosa Savino of Caracas, Venezuela, called on the faithful to intensify their prayers during Lent for God to... Read more

  Protesters are met by riot police on Feb. 15, 2014 in Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela.

Venezuela cardinal calls for peace amid escalating violence

Mar 11, 2014

Cardinal Jorge Urosa Sabino of Caracas again urged peace amid increasing conflict in Venezuela, where at least 20 people have... Read more