By Deutsche Welle
04 Aug 2024, 20:31 PM EDT
Pope Francis has called for a “search for the truth” following the disputed re-election of President Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela and urged all parties to avoid violence.
“I make a heartfelt appeal to all parties to seek the truth, to act with moderation, to avoid any kind of violence,” the Pope said in front of the crowd on Monday.
“Resolve disputes through dialogue and keep the true good of the people at heart and not partisan interests,” said the 87-year-old pontiff in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican after the Sunday Angelus prayer.
Latin American countries question results
Following the elections on July 28, Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) granted Maduro a third term in office, a decision rejected by opposition candidate Edmundo González Urrutia, who denounced fraud and demanded the publication of voting records.
Several countries, including the United States, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil and Colombia, are questioning the results and calling for the release of the electoral records.
Protests in Venezuela that broke out on Monday against the official result left at least 11 dead, according to several human rights organizations.
Pope calls for release of Israeli hostages
Pope Francis had also announced on Sunday, March 31, the release of Israeli hostages and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, at a time when a new round of negotiations for a truce between Israel and Hamas is beginning.
“I reiterate my call to ensure the possibility of access to humanitarian aid to Gaza, urging once again the rapid release of the hostages kidnapped on October 7, and an immediate ceasefire in the Strip,” said the Argentine pontiff in his Holy Week message at the Vatican.
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