Is Pope Leo XIV Weak on Venezuela — or Faithful to Catholic Teaching?

The capture of Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces has sent shockwaves through international politics. World leaders are divided, international bodies are alarmed, and even within the United States the debate is fierce. Was this a long-overdue act of justice against a brutal tyrant, or a dangerous breach of international law? In the middle of that storm stands Pope Leo XIV. Some Catholics are frustrated by his response. Others see it as prudent. Many are unsure what to make of it at all. In a new long-form article on Catholic Unscripted, I take a careful, unsentimental look at what Pope Leo actually said, what he deliberately did not say, and how his words compare with the reactions of governments, the United Nations, and major global powers. The piece also examines a largely overlooked tension in the American debate: how can leaders now claim Maduro’s capture was unlawful when previous U.S. administrations publicly offered tens of millions of dollars for information leading to his arrest? Most importantly, the article asks a deeper question that goes beyond Venezuela. What is the Pope’s role in international politics today? Is he meant to act as a geopolitical leader, or as a moral guide standing above the clash of empires? And how does Leo’s approach measure up against John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis? This is not a hot take or a partisan defence of any regime or government. It is an attempt to think clearly and Catholicly about power, sovereignty, justice, and the limits of force in a fallen world. If you are trying to make sense of Pope Leo’s response, or if you feel uneasy with the way Catholics are lining up too quickly on one side or another, I think you will find this analysis worth your time. You can read the full article here on Catholic Unscripted. Paid subscribers get access to the complete theological and historical analysis that goes beyond the headlines and into what this moment really reveals about the modern papacy. As always, thank you for reading, sharing, and supporting serious Catholic reflection in confusing times.

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