Pope Leo XIV, during a press conference aboard the aircraft returning to Rome following his trip to Türkiye and Lebanon, expressed his concern regarding the risk of a potential invasion of Venezuela by U.S. President Donald Trump.

The Pontiff stated he is closely following events through Venezuelan bishops and the Apostolic Nuncio in the country. The Holy Father noted that the reports coming from the United States are inconsistent.

In this sense, he mentioned that "on one hand, it seems there was a telephone conversation between the two presidents" (Trump and Nicolás Maduro). However, he warned of the existence of "that danger, that possibility of there being some operation, some activity even invading Venezuelan territory."

The White House had confirmed on Monday, December 1st, a meeting between Trump and his national security team to discuss next steps regarding Venezuela, in a context where it was reported that Trump had demanded Maduro leave power.

Leo XIV emphasized that the Church's priority is to seek the good of the Venezuelan people, as they are the ones who suffer most in these situations of political and external tension. "At the level of the episcopal conference, with the Nuncio, we are looking for ways to calm the situation," the Pope explained.

Upcoming Apostolic Journeys

Separately, the Pope revealed his desire for his next apostolic journey to be to Africa. While clarifying that "nothing is certain," he expressed his particular interest in visiting Algeria to honor the places where Saint Augustine of Hippo lived, and thus "continue the dialogue and build bridges between the Christian world and the Muslim world."

Furthermore, the Holy Father mentioned that other destinations in Latin America are being considered for 2026 and 2027, including a possible trip to Argentina and Uruguay, which are awaiting his visit, and to Peru, where "I believe they will receive me as well."

A Range of International and Ecclesiastical Topics

Beyond Venezuela and his upcoming travels, Leo XIV used the press conference to address various international and ecclesiastical issues. The Pontiff highlighted the need to stop global violence, stating he has held telephone conversations with Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the search for solutions in the Middle East.

Regarding violence in the Middle East, the Pope revealed he has held personal meetings with representatives of unidentified political groups involved in regional conflicts to try to persuade them "to lay down their weapons and violence and sit at the table of dialogue." "Our work is not something we announce publicly," he stated when questioned about Hezbollah.

The Pontiff also addressed concerns generated by Islam in Europe, attributing this fear often to people who are "against immigration." In contrast, he highlighted that the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, offers an alternative model by showing a land where "Islam and Christianity are present and respected, and where the possibility of coexistence exists."

The German Synodal Path and the Papal Election

Regarding internal Church matters, Leo XIV expressed the concern of many German Catholics that "certain aspects of the synodal path… do not represent their own hope for the Church." He underscored the need for "dialogue and listening" to prevent the voice of the most powerful from silencing others, while expressing hope that ongoing meetings between German bishops and the Roman Curia will succeed in "ensuring that the German synodal path does not stray… from the path of the universal church."

Finally, the Pope shared his feelings upon being elected successor of Peter in the conclave following the death of Pope Francis, recalling that at one point he had considered retiring. When the conclave's result was confirmed, "I took a deep breath. I said: here we go, Lord, you are in command." As a guide for his spirituality, he recommended the book The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence, describing it as surrendering one's life to the Lord so that He may guide it.