OPPOSING SIDES in the Venezuelan conflict have been urged by Pope Francis to have courage and be open to one another, as they begin peace talks.
In a letter read before the start of the talks last week, the Pope addressed President Nicolás Maduro and his opposition counterparts, imploring them to think of the future of the children of Venezuela.
Forty people have so far died during two months of anti-government protests in cities across the country.
“At the centre of all sincere dialogue is, first and foremost, recognition and respect for one another,” he wrote. “Above all is the heroism of forgiveness and compassion.”
The Pope said he was conscious of the anxiety and pain that was felt in Venezuela, acknowledging the economic crisis and high crime rate that have been major causes of the conflict. “I urge you not to get bogged down in the thorny details of your difficult situation, but to open up to each other and be true builders of peace,” wrote the Pope.
The talks are being mediated by the nuncio in Venezuela, Archbishop Aldo Giordano, who read the letter from the Pope, and representatives of the regional bloc Unasur.
The Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, who was nuncio in Venezuela until October last year, said he was sorry not to be present at the talks and that he would be flying to Venezuela as soon as possible. In his message, the cardinal remembered his four years in Venezuela, saying “my heart is with you”.
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