ROME, June 22 (Reuters) - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Thursday he would personally lobby Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega to release a bishop who has been imprisoned in the Central American state.
Speaking to reporters a day after meeting Pope Francis, Lula said the Nicaraguan president should have "the courage" to recognize that a mistake had been made.
"I intend to speak with Daniel Ortega about this to release the bishop.
There is no reason for the bishop to be prevented from exercising his function in the Church," Lula said.
"The only thing the Church wants is for Nicaragua to free them," Lula said, referring to Alvarez and a number of detained priests.
Persons:
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega, Pope Francis, Lula, Bishop Rolando Alvarez, Ortega, Daniel Ortega, Francis, Alvarez, Alvazez, Philip Pulella, Catarina Demony, Federico Maccioni, Crispian Balmer
Organizations:
Central, Roman Catholic Church, Thomson
Locations:
Central American, Nicaraguan, Nicaragua, Latin America, Brazil, United States