The Nicaraguan government has officially liberated Bishop Rolando Álvarez, who had been under detention since 2022, alongside Bishop Isidoro del Carmen Mora Ortega, two seminarians, and 15 other priests. This news, initially reported by local media, has been confirmed by government officials in Managua. The Holy See welcomed the released individuals, with the majority arriving in Rome on Sunday afternoon, except for one who is currently in Venezuela. They are now guests of the Holy See.

Bishop Álvarez of Matagalpa, who had been sentenced to 26 years in prison, had been under house arrest since August 2022 after spending the previous year in detention. Bishop Mora was arrested in December. Both bishops, along with the seminarians and priests, are now free and in the care of the Holy See.

During the Angelus at the beginning of the year, Pope Francis addressed the plight of bishops and priests "deprived of their freedom" in Nicaragua. Pope expressed his solidarity through prayer and urged the faithful to join him in praying for Nicaragua, emphasizing the importance of seeking dialogue to overcome challenges.

This release follows the liberation of 12 Nicaraguan priests in October, who were also welcomed by the Holy See in Rome. The Vatican continues to play a crucial role in providing support and shelter to these religious figures who have faced persecution in Nicaragua.