By Desmond Nleya
Vatican City — Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate María Corina Machado met privately with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican on Monday, January 12, 2026, where she appealed for the Pope’s support in advancing Venezuela’s democratic transition and securing the release of political prisoners.
Machado, who has been in exile following months in hiding, said after the meeting that she expressed deep gratitude to Pope Leo for his ongoing attention to the crisis in Venezuela. In a statement posted by her political coalition, she said she asked the pontiff to intercede on behalf of all Venezuelans who remain detained or missing.
The audience — which was not originally listed in the Pope’s schedule but later appeared in the Vatican’s official bulletin — also included conversations with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State and a former papal ambassador to Venezuela.
Machado’s visit comes amid continued upheaval in Venezuela’s political landscape. The country has seen the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces, and questions remain about the pace of political reforms and prisoner releases. Machado is also expected to meet other world leaders as part of her international tour.
During the meeting, Pope Leo reiterated his concern for the protection of human rights and Venezuela’s sovereignty — comments consistent with his recent statements on the crisis in the country.
