There have been very few time that he has been seen in public in Rome, but the Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez has reappeared again in the context of the Jubilee of Young People.
He did so to meet with around 140 pilgrims from the Spanish diocese of Sigüenza-Guadalajara. The occasion was to prepare for the penitential day prior to the vigil at Tor Vergata.
Of all the topics he could have chosen to share, he decided to speak to them about forgiveness.
This is the catechesis he gave them. Rolando Álvarez personally provided it to this outlet once his conversation with the young people was over.
As you can see, it is written on a computer and underlined by hand with some notes. In it, you can read reflections such as this one, where he speaks on the devil's constant attempts to destroy love:
It seems that clinging to hatred is stronger than clinging to love, and this is precisely" – Pope Francis affirms – "the devil's 'treasure.'It seems the devil’s own wealth is this: to sow un-forgiveness, to live attached to not forgiving. And forgiveness is a condition for entering heaven.
That Rolando speaks about forgiveness is highly significant. His life has not been easy. He was exiled from Nicaragua in January 2024, along with a group of priests and seminarians.
Before that exile, he was imprisoned in Nicaragrua. In his country, he was sentenced to 26 years in prison, but thanks to Vatican diplomacy, he managed to reach Rome, where he has remained discreet and kept a low profile.
CA/JRB
Trans. CRT
