Vatican calls for end to suffering in Venezuela but takes no sides

Pope Francis is following the situation in Venezuela closely and the Holy See supports all efforts to spare people there from further suffering, the Vatican said on Thursday.

But in its first statement on the crisis, the Vatican took no sides in the dispute between Nicolas Maduro, who says he is the country's legitimate president, and congress leader Juan Guaido, who declared himself president. (Reporting By Philip Pullella)