In Nicaragua, Catholics celebrated Palm Sunday under intense government scrutiny, as police and paramilitaries surrounded Managua’s cathedral and restricted Holy Week activities to church grounds.
The regime of Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo has banned public religious processions for the third straight year—allowing exceptions only for clergy aligned with the government.
Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes of Managua led Mass inside the cathedral, focusing his homily on forgiveness despite the visible intimidation.
Meanwhile, exiled Bishop Silvio Báez assured the faithful online that the government “cannot prevent the crucified one from revealing his victory” through acts of justice and solidarity.
Church leaders report increasing harassment: clergy are monitored, muzzled, and even spied on during Mass.
Some priests now avoid preaching altogether to evade arrest. Over 220 religious have been exiled or blocked from returning. Despite the crackdown, observers say the regime remains fearful of the church’s moral authority—and the enduring faith of the Nicaraguan people.