Pope Francis accepts mediation in Venezuela "on the condition that both parties request it"

Still in the plane that was returning from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Rome, Pope Francis said that, for a possible Vatican mediation in Venezuela, not only the request of the president of this country, Nicolás Maduro, but also his request. l & # 39; opposition.

"The initial conditions are that both parties ask", recalled the Sovereign Pontiff on the steps provided by the protocol so that the head of the Catholic Church could mediate in this affair between Maduro and the head of the National Assembly (AN), Juan Guaidó proclaimed "president in charge".

Francisco also acknowledged that he still had not read the letter sent by Maduro, but clarified that he would do so upon his arrival at the Santa Marta residence. Bergoglio has been, until today, in the UAE, in a historic event, the first leader of the Catholic Church to tread the Arabian Peninsula to strengthen interreligious ties with Islam.

The President of Venezuela took advantage of the interview that he gave to the Italian news channel Sky TG24 to report the letter to the pope. "I asked his will, his best efforts, to help us on the path of dialogue".

The head of the Catholic Church He had already mentioned the crisis in Caracas: "I suffer for what is happening in Venezuela, I want them to agree, a just and peaceful solution, I am terrified by the problem of violence" . And during the celebration of World Youth Day (WYD), last week in Panama, he suggested: "If you need help, ask for it".

The tension is increasing day after day in Venezuela. The Lima group demanded free elections in Maduro, the European Union recognized Guaidó as "president in charge", the chavist leader did not bend to the ultimatum and, on Saturday, in front of such international pressure Maduro proposed legislative elections as an intermediate solution. In this context, if the owner of the NA asked for it, Francisco should act as a mediator.