Pope prays for Nicaraguans after cathedral attack

Pope Francis, during his traditional Sunday prayer, expressed his closeness to the people of Nicaragua after an attack on the cathedral in the capital Managua.

"I am thinking of the people of Nicaragua who are suffering from the attack on the Cathedral of Managua, where the image (an ancient crucifix) so venerated, an image of Christ that has accompanied and sustained the life of the faithful for centuries, has been badly damaged, nearly destroyed. Dear Nicaraguan brothers, I am close to you and I pray for you," Francis said, speaking from his studio window overlooking St. Peter's Square.

The pontiff also called on politicians to create jobs so that economies could relaunch from the lockdowns imposed to combat the coronavirus pandemic.