Remembering an Ex-Pope's Anger in Nicaragua

Pope Francis today ended his latest to a Latin American country earlier today when he left Cuba following a four-day visit. During his time on the island, the Argentine pontiff emphasized messages of reconciliation and brotherhood among residents regardless of their ideological or political beliefs. His choice to steer away from commenting on the persecution of political dissidents and jailing of political prisoners was criticized by some members of the Cuban-American and Cuban exile community. (Though it remains to be seen if Francis during his first-ever visit to the U.S. will be more vocal on issues relating to human rights abuses in Cuba.)

Francis exercised caution in not blatantly speaking out against the Cuban government while on the island, but that stood in contrast to Pope John Paul II’s visit to Nicaragua in 1983. The Central American country was in the early years of a bloody armed conflict between the ruling Sandinista government and the rebel Contras. The war took its toll on the Nicaraguan Catholic Church that split between the hierarchy opposed to the Sandinista rulers and factions in favor of the government’s social and economic reforms.

Tensions between the sides was high in the days prior to the Pope’s visit but it was expected, as was written by one article at the time, that “the Pope will talk in relatively vague terms that both sides will try to use to best advantage.” As seen in the brief video clip below, that notion was put to rest upon his arrival when he publicly admonished Catholic priest and Minister of Culture Ernesto Cardenal:

Daily Headlines: July 29, 2009

* Argentina: The personal wealth of Argentina’s power couple has come under increased scrutiny as the country’s economic woes worsen.

* Nicaragua: Nicaraguan Ernesto Cardenal won the Pablo Neruda Ibero-American Poetry Prize and used his award speech to blast President Daniel Ortega.

* Mexico: Mexicans could soon be obligated to carry a national ID card which will include fingerprints and a retina scan.

* U.S.: Health authorities in New York warned against the use of certain beauty products imported from the Dominican Republic that contain dangerous chemicals but are popular in Latino neighborhoods.

Image- BBC News (Argentina’s president and First Husband in happier times).
Online Sources- Guardian UK, Xinhua, LAHT, UPI