Francis gives bishops his trust in face of national crisis

Venezuelan bishops, led by president of the Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Diego Padrón, met with Pope Francis in Rome on Thursday 8 June, to discuss the situation in the South American country. Six bishops met the Pope and Caritas representatives, writes Martha Pskowski. Following the meeting, Archbishop Padrón said Francis told them they have his “full trust”. The Government of Socialist President Nicolás Maduro sees the bishops, who have been sharply critical of the country’s economic and political crisis, as supporters of the Opposition.

Archbishop Padrón said the bishops had highlighted the humanitarian crisis due to shortages of food and medicines. “We realised that the Pope is abreast, day by day, of events in Venezuela,” he said, adding that Francis is fully supportive of the bishops, who expressed the need for “a humanitarian corridor, recognition of the [opposition-led] National Assembly, release of political prisoners, and resuming the electoral calendar”.