Pope to Mediate Talks Between Venezuelan Government, Opposition

Pope Francis agreed Thursday to be a mediator between the Venezuelan government and the opposition to help achieve a resolution to the current political crisis in the South American nation.

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The Vatican responded to a letter requesting his help from the secretary-general of UNASUR, Ernesto Samper, and former presidents Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero of Spain, Martin Torrijos of Panama and Leonel Fernandez of the Dominican Republic.

The Vatican's response, published on Wednesday, says the pope hopes the Venezuelan people can begin a dialogue in an atmosphere of mutual trust and that, “Those who are directly involved in the destiny of the country, by overpassing rivalries and political hostility, can recognize each other as brothers.”

It's not yet known when any talks will take place. The Venezuelan opposition had asked for such mediation as part of a series of requests sent July 7 to the government of Nicolas Maduro.

The Vatican's letter states that the mediation of the pope is subject to both the government and the opposition requesting it directly "once they have made a firm decision to formally initiate dialogue."