Pope appeals for dialogue between US and Venezuela

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday appealed for dialogue between the United States and Venezuela amid mounting fears of American military action. (AFP/File)
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Updated 02 December 2025
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Pope appeals for dialogue between US and Venezuela

  • He said that through diplomacy, the Vatican was “looking for ways to calm the situation“

PAPAL PLANE: Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday appealed for dialogue between the United States and Venezuela amid mounting fears of American military action.
The US-born pope said there were mixed signals coming from the United States in the dispute, noting a phone call between President Donald Trump and Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro, and speculation of sending US troops.
“Again, I believe it’s better to seek dialogue, perhaps pressure, even economic pressure, but look for another way to bring about change, if that’s what the United States decides to do,” Leo told reporters on the flight home from a trip to Lebanon.
He said that through diplomacy, the Vatican was “looking for ways to calm the situation” for the good of the Venezuelan people.


Putin and Trump discuss Iran and Ukraine wars: Kremlin

Updated 4 sec ago
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Putin and Trump discuss Iran and Ukraine wars: Kremlin

  • Putin and Trump held a one-hour call in their first talks since December

MOSCOW: Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump on Monday discussed the Iran war and Ukraine conflict during a “frank and constructive” telephone call, the Kremlin said.
Putin and Trump held a one-hour call in their first talks since December and Washington sought the discussion, Putin’s diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
“The accent was placed on the situation surrounding the conflict with Iran and the bilateral negotiations underway with the representatives of the United States on settling the Ukrainian question,” Ushakov said.
Ushakov said Putin called for a “quick political and diplomatic settlement” to the US-Israeli war against Iran, which has been a key ally for Russia.
The Russian leader also gave Trump “a description of the current situation on the line of contact where Russian troops are progressing with a lot of success,” he added, referring to the Ukraine war.
Putin “positively evaluated the mediation efforts undertaken” by Trump in the Ukraine conflict, the adviser said. A series of talks have been held between Russian and US officials and between Russian, US and Ukrainian officials, but with no breakthrough in efforts to reach a ceasefire.
Ushakov said Washington had wanted to “discuss a series of extremely important questions linked to the current international situation.”
“The conversation was serious and constructive,” he added.
Trump and Putin held a summit in Alaska in August last year.