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Pope Francis said on Sunday he feared bloodshed in Venezuela but that it was premature for him to take sides because it could cause more damage. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is confronting an unprecedented challenge to his authority after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself interim president, citing a fraudulent election and winning wide international support. Britain, Germany, France and Spain all said they would recognise Guaido if Maduro failed to call new elections within eight days.

But the ultimatum was slammed by Venezuelan allies, with Russia saying it was "absurd" and the Venezuelan foreign minister calling it "childlike."

The Pope told reporters: “In this moment, I support all the Venezuelan people because they are a people who are suffering."

The religious leader was on a plane taking him back from Panama, where he made an appeal for a just solution and respect for human rights in Venezuela.

He said: "I suffer for what is happening in Venezuela. What is it that scares me? Bloodshed.

"The problem of violence frightens me. After all the efforts made in Colombia, what happened at the police academy was horrific. Bloodshed solves nothing."

Read More: World War 3 threat: Venezuela's Maduro REJECTS election demands