Pope calls for end to violence, respect for human rights, in Venezuela

Pope Francis blesses at the end of special audience for Catholic Action members in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, April 30, 2017. REUTERS/Tony Gentile

ROME (Reuters) - Pope Francis called on Sunday for the respect of human rights and an end to violence in Venezuela, where nearly 30 people were killed in unrest this month.

Francis, speaking to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly address, decried a "grave humanitarian, social , political and economic crisis that is exhausting the population".