Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for a peaceful solution to the "grave crisis" in Venezuela, where economic and political chaos has left scores dead.

"I assure all of you of my prayers for each of the countries of Latin America, and in a special way for neighboring Venezuela," Francis said during a prayer service in the Colombian city of Cartagena.

"I appeal for the rejection of all violence in political life and for a solution to the current grave crisis, which affects everyone, particularly the poorest and most disadvantaged of society."

source: AFP