<figure id="attachment_3064915" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3064915" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-3064915" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/7efb2abc-pope-leo-xiv-21052025.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3064915" class="wp-caption-text">Pope Leo XIV called for reflection, noting many peaceful citizens are now deeply affected by current events. (AP pic)</figcaption></figure>
ROME: Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday criticised the US military deployment in the Caribbean, without naming US President Donald Trump, saying that &#8220;with violence we don&#8217;t win&#8221;.
In response to a question from a journalist as he left his Castel Gandolfo secondary residence, the leader of the world&#8217;s Catholics said a country had the right to have its military &#8220;defend peace&#8221;.
&#8220;In this case, however, it seems a bit different. It increases tension,&#8221; said the 70-year-old pope, speaking of reports of US boats &#8220;each time ever closer to the coast of Venezuela&#8221;.
&#8220;I think that with violence we don&#8217;t win. The thing to do is to seek dialogue,&#8221; he added.
Trump has launched a major military deployment in the Caribbean in recent weeks, conducting multiple strikes on alleged drug-trafficking vessels, killing dozens.
He has downplayed potential US intervention in Venezuela, where leader Nicolas Maduro – who faces indictment on drug charges in the US – has accused him of wanting to impose &#8220;regime change&#8221; in Caracas to seize Venezuelan oil.
The Chicago-born pope was also asked about migrants in detention in his home city – America&#8217;s third-largest – which has been a key target of Trump&#8217;s crackdown on immigrants.
&#8220;Jesus says very clearly at the end of the world, we&#8217;re going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner, did you receive him and welcome him or not,&#8221; said the pontiff.
&#8220;I think there is a deep reflection that needs to be made in terms of what&#8217;s happening. Many people who have lived for years and years and years, never causing problems, have been deeply affected by what&#8217;s going on right now,&#8221; he said.
In September, Leo – a former missionary in Peru – criticised what he called the &#8220;inhuman treatment&#8221; of immigrants in the US.

MatchPoint Times

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