Nicaragua releases 12 Catholic priests and sends them to Rome following agreement with the Vatican

Nicaragua has released 12 Roman Catholic priests jailed on a variety of charges and sent them to Rome following an agreement reached with the Vatican, the Nicaraguan government said in a statement late Wednesday. The government of President Daniel Ortega said that the priests were flown to Rome Wednesday afternoon following productive talks with the Vatican. Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes, the church's top figure in Nicaragua, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.