Pope Leo XIV Holds Private Meeting With Venezuelan Opposition Leader and Nobel Laureate Maria Corina Machado

VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV met privately with Venezuelan opposition leader and 2025 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Corina Machado during an unplanned audience at the Vatican, according to the Holy See’s daily bulletin. No further details of the discussions were released.

Machado recently returned to Norway following 11 months in hiding to collect the Nobel Peace Prize and is currently touring Europe and the United States. In a statement, she said she had an opportunity to brief the Pope on developments in Venezuela and express gratitude for the Vatican’s continued support.

Machado said she conveyed the determination of the Venezuelan people, who “remain steadfast and pray for freedom.” She added that she requested the Pope’s intercession on behalf of those detained or missing in the country.
She also held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, who previously served as nuncio to Venezuela from 2009 to 2013.

Pope Leo has repeatedly expressed concern over Venezuela’s political crisis, urging the protection of human and civil rights and insisting that the nation’s sovereignty be respected. His comments followed the capture of former President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces in Caracas, after which Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed control of government affairs.

Machado recently stated she wished to dedicate or share her Nobel Prize with former U.S. President Donald Trump, declaring the award belonged to both the Venezuelan people and Trump. Trump has publicly said he wants to secure a Nobel Prize.
However, the Norwegian Nobel Institute has clarified that laureates cannot transfer, divide or share their award after it is granted.

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