El Nuevo Día newspaper reports that, according to the archbishop of San Juan, Pope Francis will plead for the release of Puerto Rican political prisoner Oscar López Rivera. He said that the Pope has made efforts through diplomatic channels to support the release of López Rivera, who has been behind bars in the United States for 35 years.

The information was released today by the archbishop of San Juan, Roberto González Nieves, during a press conference in the San Juan Cathedral, where he declared that the pontiff “has joined [efforts] and supports the release. In addition, we filed a petition on the case and he welcomed it.”

He added that “two months ago we sent him a letter for his support and intervention and I know that the Pope, through diplomatic channels, has also asked for his release for reasons of clemency.”

The archbishop explained that the Holy Father “has not made public statements [. . .] but I know that there have been efforts made through diplomatic channels. The Pope is very aware. We are grateful to the Holy Father for his support.”

For full article (in Spanish), see http://elvocero.com/papa-francisco-aboga-por-liberacion-de-oscar-lopez/