“The news from Nicaragua has saddened me a great deal”

Pope prayed and expressed his concern for Monsignor Rolando Álvarez

Vatican Media

The Pope, in his message after the Angelus, asked that the hearts of political leaders and of all citizens be opened to the sincere search for peace, which is born of truth, justice, freedom and love, and which is achieved through the patient pursuit of dialogue.

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters!

Let us continue to stay close, with prayer and concrete support, to the earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey. I saw on the television programme “A Sua Immagine” the images of this catastrophe, the pain of these peoples who are suffering as a result of the earthquake. Let us pray for them, let us not forget them, let us pray and think about what we can do for them. And let us not forget tormented Ukraine: may the Lord open ways of peace and give those responsible the courage to follow them.


The news from Nicaragua has saddened me a great deal, and I cannot but remember with concern Bishop Rolando Álvarez of Matagalpa, whom I care about greatly, sentenced to 26 years imprisonment, and also those who have been deported to the United States. I pray for them and for all those who are suffering in that dear nation, and I ask for your prayers. Let us also ask the Lord, by the intercession of the Immaculate Virgin Mary, to open the hearts of political leaders and all citizens to the sincere search for peace, which is born of truth, justice, freedom and love, and which is achieved through the patient pursuit of dialogue. Let us pray together to Our Lady. [Hail Mary]

I greet all of you, Romans and pilgrims from Italy and other countries. I greet the groups from Poland, the Czech Republic and Peru. I greet the Congolese citizens who are present here. Your country is beautiful, it is beautiful! Pray for the country! I greet the students from Badajoz, Spain, and those of the Gregorian Institute of Lisbon.

I greet the young people of Amendolara-Cozenza and the AVIS group from Villa Estense-Padua.

And I wish you all a happy Sunday. Please, do not forget to pray for me. Enjoy your lunch, and arrivederci!