Leo, the first US pontiff, has called for Venezuela to remain an independent country after the capture by US forces of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the orders of US President Donald Trump.
In a major foreign policy speech on Friday, the Pope decried the use of military force as a means of achieving diplomatic goals and called for human rights to be protected in Venezuela.
Machado a former National Assembly member, was barred from running in Venezuela's 2024 general election by authorities aligned with Maduro.
She backed a stand-in candidate who was widely considered to have won the vote, although Maduro claimed victory.
Ballot audits by independent observers showed irregularities in the official results.
Machado has been touring Europe.
She reappeared publicly in December after spending 11 months in hiding to accept the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway.
Machado, widely seen by supporters as a leading hope for political change in Venezuela, has praised Trump for his military intervention.
After Maduro's arrest, Trump expressed scepticism about Machado's suitability as a successor, saying she does not have the necessary "support" or "respect" within Venezuela to govern it.
Recently, however, he has said a meeting with her could be in the works.
with DPA
15°C