The Vatican has shut down its embassy in Nicaragua, just days after President Daniel Ortega suggested they suspend relations; the chargé d’affaires, Monsignor Marcel Diouf, left for exile in Costa Rica. This comes a year after Ortega expelled the papal nuncio or ambassador. Ortega banned all public demonstrations in 2018 after a series of anti-government protests and accused the Church of sheltering dissident leaders. Above, Cardinal Leopoldo Brenes prayed during a Stations of the Cross procession, which had to be held in the courtyard of the Metropolitan Cathedral in Managua instead of in the streets; no processions during Holy Week, either. (Inti Ocon/AP)
Daily Office Asia-Pacific 