The Pope concerned about the situation of the bishop in Nicaragua

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis expressed concern on Sunday that Nicaraguan Bishop Roland Álvarez, a critic of the Nicaraguan government, was sentenced to 26 years in prison in the government’s latest action against the Church Catholic and the opposition.

Álvarez was sentenced on Friday after refusing to board a plane bound for the United States with 222 other prisoners, all opponents of President Daniel Ortega. In addition to prison sentences, Álvarez was stripped of his Nicaraguan citizenship.

“The news that came from Nicaragua saddened me very much,” the pontiff said in St. Peter’s Square to the crowd gathered for the traditional Sunday blessing.

The pope expressed his love and concern for Álvarez and called on the faithful to pray for politicians to “open their hearts”.

Álvarez was arrested in August last year along with several other priests and lay people. Ortega ordered the mass release of politicians, priests, students and activists widely considered political prisoners, sending some of them on a flight to Washington on Thursday. Ortega said Álvarez refused to board the plane without being able to consult with other bishops.

Álvarez, who was under house arrest, was taken to nearby Modelo prison.