ROME – Venezuelan protestors chained themselves at the front of the Vatican Sunday in a public plea for the release of political prisoners.

 The protest was a peaceful one, asking for the freedom of all ‘political prisoners’ in Venezuela. Among the protestors, there was Lilian Tintori, wife of the Venezuelan political prisoner Leopoldo Lopez; Antonieta Lopez, mother of Leopoldo Lopez; and Mitzy Ledezma Capriles, wife of the mayor of Caracas, Antonio Ledezma.

 The demonstration was organised in light of the next dialogue between the opposition and the Venezuelan government which will be held in Caracas Tuesday.

 “The Vatican is part of the dialogue of peace in Venezuela but this up until now has not had any results,” said Tintori, tied up at the front of the Holy City with a Venezuelan flag and a photograph of her husband.

 “We want them to be immediately freed – it would be a concrete act and would give some meaning to this third meeting on Tuesday,” she added.

 The wife of the mayor of Caracas said during Sunday’s protest that she asked the Venezuelan government to “not scorn the Vatican,” claiming, “we believe that there is no respect for the Holy Father and for the Vatican as a mediator.”

 In a heartfelt plea, the mother of Leopoldo Lopez, Antonieta, said she represents every mother, every wife and every sister in saying, “I represent the pain and suffering of so many Venezuelan mothers who see their innocent children humiliated, violated and tortured, with the only accusation of having exercised their rights.”

 She begged Pope Francis to “pray for some interception for Venezuelans, to bring back the freedom and peace that we deserve (…) We are certain and trusting that Pope Francis will do so.”

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