Venezuela congratulates the new Pope Leo XIV: We wish His Holiness wisdom, strength and discernment

Published at: 08/05/2025 02:37 PM

In a statement, released by Foreign Minister Yván Gil, Venezuela congratulated the American Robert Francis Prevost on Thursday, after being elected as the new pope of the Catholic Church.

The Bolivarian Government wished the Supreme Pontiff, who chose the name of Leo XIV, “wisdom, strength and discernment in the exercise of his Pontificate”, and urged him “that his mission continue and deepen the path traced by Pope Francis, who knew how to restore to the Church its humble character, committed to the poorest, close to just causes and sensitive to the pains of humanity”.

Below is the full text of the document:

The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela congratulates His Holiness Leo XIV with deep respect and hope for his election as Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, trusting that his leadership will mark a new time of spiritual renewal, justice and rapprochement between peoples.

We wish His Holiness wisdom, strength and discernment in the exercise of his Pontificate. We hope that his mission will continue and deepen the path traced by Pope Francis, who knew how to restore to the Church its humble character, committed to the poorest, close to just causes and sensitive to the pains of humanity. Francis led the Church towards a more human, social and supportive dimension, anchored in the original message of Christ.

In these times of profound challenges, marked by wars, the re-emergence of fascism and the progressive weakening of the international balance based on the law and values of full humanity, the Pontificate of Leo XIV assumes a complex task: to contribute to restoring ethical, spiritual and moral balances within the Catholic community and all of humanity.

From Venezuela, a land of deep Christian convictions, we raise our prayers for the success of your mission and express the sincere desire that your leadership will contribute to the unity of the Church, to dialogue between cultures and religions, and to the construction of a more just, peaceful and inclusive world. May the intercession of our José Gregorio Hernández and our mother Carmen Rendiles accompany this new phase with humility, love and service.

Caracas, May 08, 2025

Mazo News Team