Pope Francis has spoken out about the persecution of the church in Nicaragua.
As the pogrom under Daniel Ortega escalates, the Vatican has addressed it during Mass and later in a tweet today.
The Holy Father wrote on Twitter:
‘I am following with concern and sorrow the situation created in Nicaragua. I would like to express my conviction and my hope that, through an open and sincere dialogue, the basis for a respectful and peaceful co-existence might still be found. #PrayTogether’
The situation has rapidly deteriorated over the past year, but is now reaching crisis point, with left wing police now rounding up Catholics at the highest levels.
Human rights activist Bianca Jagger was among those who criticised the pope this week for not speaking sooner:
“His silence is my greatest disappointment, is the Pope really not aware of what’s happening in Nicaragua?”