Nicaragua

Vatican will receive 12 priests who had been detained in Nicaragua. The release of the priests and their expatriation to Rome came following “fruitful talks with the Holy See.”

“This story has nudged me to pray for the exiles, but especially for Bishop Álvarez, and to offer fasts of food and small pleasures for his good — for his well-being, his spirit, his fortitude — for his freedom, should God will it.”

“Most of the people expelled were politicians or candidates for public office that (Daniel) Ortega locked up before the elections,” the archbishop said, but among them were “four or five priests, a couple of seminarians, a deacon and an organist.”

In focus: Miraculous Medal Shrine, World Day for Consecrated Life, former priest faces sexual misconduct charges

In focus: Catholics at March for Life, federal death penalty case, Nicaraguan bishop to stand trial

In the spotlight: New ambassador audience, feast of St. Lucy, Nicaraguan migrants, blessing of Jesus figurines

In focus: Antisemitism, Nicaraguan crisis, clemency for Christmas

In focus: Catholics in Northern Ireland, tensions in Nicaragua, Church workers kidnapped in Cameroon