Skip to main content
Tags: pope francis | maduro | venezuela | election
CORRESPONDENT

Pope Recognizes Maduro as Legitimate Head of Venezuela

John Gizzi By Wednesday, 14 August 2024 09:37 PM EDT Current | Bio | Archive

Less than a month after Venezuela's contested — and much disputed — election, a growing number of world leaders have voiced doubts on whether that country's Marxist president, Nicolas Maduro, was the winner. 

Argentina's conservative president, Javier Milei, and Chile's leftist president, Gabriel Boric, are among those refusing to recognize Maduro and his administration as the legitimate government of Venezuela.

But the recognition Tuesday of Maduro by one government and its leader was highly significant to the embattled strongman: that of the Vatican and its head of state, Pope Francis, the spiritual leader of the world's estimated 1.39 billion Roman Catholics.

In formally receiving the credentials of Archbishop Alberto Ortega Martin as nuncio (ambassador) of the Vatican, Maduro can claim the recognition of his legitimacy as head of the government by the Pope and the Catholic Church he heads.

The Pope's blessing comes as demonstrators increasingly take to the streets to protest Maduro's claim of winning the July 28 election over retired diplomat Edmundo Gonzalez. The president has responded by deploying police and troops to subdue the opposition in often violent exchanges. An estimated 25 Venezuelans have been killed in the clashes.

Former candidate Gonzalez (recognized by the U.S. as the election winner) and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado have been steadfast in remaining in Venezuela despite the growing assaults on Maduro opponents. Most recently, the Maduro regime began Operation Knock-Knock, a program in which police search private homes for known opponents of the government.

The Pope's embrace of Maduro is especially surprising, given his own Latin American heritage and that his right-hand man, Secretary of State Pietro Cardinal Parolin, is a past envoy to Venezuela.

John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.

© 2024 Newsmax. All rights reserved.


John-Gizzi
Less than a month after Venezuela's contested-and much disputed-election, a growing number of world leaders have voiced doubts on whether that country's Marxist President Nicolas Maduro was the winner.
pope francis, maduro, venezuela, election
294
2024-37-14
Wednesday, 14 August 2024 09:37 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the NewsmaxTV App
Get the NewsmaxTV App for iOS Get the NewsmaxTV App for Android Scan QR code to get the NewsmaxTV App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved