The strongest diplomatic link between Venezuela and the Holy See is Cardinal Parolin. Having served more than four years as nuncio, the cardinal arrived to the country in 2009, during the final phase of Chávez’s rule.
Parolin pursued a diplomacy of containment, maintaining open dialogue with the regime and acting as a bridge with the Catholic hierarchy. Parolin's work was formally recognized in ecclesial circles as he was able to keep channels open with the regime.
A week before the election of Pope Francis, Hugo Chávez died, although his regime's ideas continued—this time carried forward by his chosen successor, Nicolás Maduro.
PIETRO PAROLIN
Nuncio to Venezuela (2009–2013)
With the president, in this climate of openness and cordiality, we can also discuss the upcoming visit and the audience with the Holy Father.
And the meeting did take place. Maduro arrived at the Vatican on June 17, 2013. Talks with the Holy See focused on fighting crime and drug trafficking, and on the need for constant dialogue between the State and the episcopal conference.
Parolin’s experience in Caracas helped Pope Francis place his trust in him. He called him to Rome that same August, this time to make Parolin his Secretary of State. With him as number two, Venezuela was on the Vatican’s radar more now than ever.
In 2014, with Parolin already in the Vatican, a turning point was reached: massive waves of protests, thousands of detainees, and the Holy See’s direct involvement in the Venezuelan crisis followed shortly after, although the Vatican never acted as a formal mediator.
POPE FRANCIS
I sincerely hope that violence and hostilities cease as soon as possible, and that all Venezuelan political and institutional leaders strive to promote reconciliation.
2016 was a key year for the relationship between the two states. Pope Francis choose to greet relatives of Venezuelan political prisoners during an audience, including the father of Leopoldo López, who had been arrested in 2014. The same year, Lopez's wife chained herself in the Vatican, demanding his release.
LILIAN TINTORI
Wife of Leopoldo López
They have taken so much from us that they have taken away our fear. The day they took Leopoldo prisoner, separating him from my children, that day I realized how serious things were, how badly we were doing in Venezuela. It was two years and nine months ago, and Leopoldo, my husband, used to tell me: ‘We are going to fall into a crisis, there will be no food, there will be no medicine,’ and that is what is happening.
Then came more action. The Venezuelan opposition leader requested that the Vatican intervene as a mediator. Shortly after, in October, Maduro appeared unexpectedly in Rome and met with Pope Francis.
Then, exactly two months later, Parolin sent a letter to Maduro outlining his failures: the agreements, the freedom of prisoners, and the blockade of the humanitarian channel. However, the events of 2016 were mostly symbolic. Despite Vatican efforts, the crisis was not stopped.
In 2019, there was an exchange of private messages between Maduro and Pope Francis. Maduro wrote to the Pope asking him to mediate in his country after the crisis with Juan Guaidó.
POPE FRANCIS
Before the trip, I knew a letter from Maduro would arrive via diplomatic channels, but I have not yet read it. We will see what can be done, but for mediation to happen, both parties’ willingness is required. Both parties must request it.
The Pontiff responded, reminding Maduro of everything he had failed to fulfill. In the Pope's response, there are a good bit of diplomatic nuance: at no point did Pope Francis use the protocol term “President.” He simply addressed Maduro as “Sir.”
Then came the 2024 elections. Venezuelan bishops requested verification of the electoral records, which differed significantly from the official results released by the regime, which had diminished María Corina Machado's votes in order to prevent her candidacy.
At the end of 2025, María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and decided that her first public appearance after receiving the award would be in the Vatican. This, of course, took place after the U.S. military operation to captured Maduro.
From Pope Pius IX to Pope Leo XIV, through Pope Francis, the Vatican has never lost sight of Venezuela. More than 150 years of history show that Rome can continue to influence the world, even in the worst of crises.
CA
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