Nicaragua protests: Pope calls for end to deadly violence

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed his sadness over the ongoing protests in Nicaragua and called for an end to the violence.

At least six people have been reported dead in protests fueled against unpopular changes in social security.

While speaking to people at St. Peter's Square during his Sunday address, the Pope wished for "an end to every form of violence and to avoid the useless shedding of blood."

He also expressed that differences must be "resolved peacefully and with a sense of responsibility".

On Saturday, after four days of protests, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, facing the biggest crisis of his leadership, said he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul. The measures increase worker contributions and lower pensions.

Meanwhile, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega said on Saturday he was ready to consider changing an unpopular social security overhaul that has sparked days of deadly protests and one of the biggest crises of his leadership.

At least six people have died since Nicaraguans began demonstrating on Wednesday against measures that increase worker contributions and lower pensions, in an unusually direct challenge to Ortega, a former Marxist guerrilla.

Late on Saturday, local media said a reporter was shot and killed during a live broadcast from Bluefields, a town on Nicaragua's Caribbean coast that has been hit by the violence.

(With inputs from Reuters)