Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has faced steep opposition over the last few months. Violent protests have left 39 dead, finally forcing the president to the negotiation table.

Last Thursday, President Maduro met with the opposition headed by Henrique Capriles. This marked the “first major effort at reconciliation since anti-government protests began to roil Venezuelan cities in early February,” reported AP. Both sides discussed their worries over the declining state of Venezuela and expressed strong feelings against a possible coup d’état.

Present during the meeting was the Vatican’s Venezuelan representative, Aldo Giordano, who read a message from Pope Francis. In the letter, “Pope Francis is urging Venezuelans on both sides to put aside their political differences and demonstrate the necessary courage to reach an agreement that avoids more bloodshed after weeks of violent protests,” wrote AP.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bv9vr5Tllw&feature=youtu.be

Opposition leaders met with President Maduro on April 10—the first talks since unrest began in February.

The two sides are expected to continue their peace talks, but not without the Vatican’s mediation. Vatican Radio reports, “The Venezuelan government leaders have invited Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to the peace talks between the government and an opposition coalition.” The high-ranking cardinal is expected to act as a neutral party between the opposing sides in upcoming talks this week.

During former president Hugo Chávez’s 14-year reign, the Venezuelan government distanced itself from the Vatican by squabbling often with the country’s conservative Catholic hierarchy. Now both the opposition and the current government are seeking the Vatican’s mediation.

Expect to see the Vatican play a bigger role in Venezuela’s future. Under Chávez, Venezuela’s ties with the Vatican looked bleak, but, as we asked in February, “Could the Venezuelan Protests Be Good News for the Vatican?”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GwfNSc0_YWM&feature=youtu.be

Clashes break out in Caracas on April 12 as talks continue between the government and its opposition.