Libya Frees Catholic Bishop

VATICAN CITY — The Roman Catholic bishop who was seized by armed Libyans last week was freed today, the Vatican announced. Bishop Giovanni Martinelli, 44, was released along with three priests and a nun who were being held with him, spokesman Joaquin Navarro said.

Martinelli reportedly was seized in the coastal city of Benghazi last Thursday for questioning by a “revolutionary committee.” Libyan leader Moammar Kadafi said on Monday evening, before the U.S. bombing raid, that he had personally intervened to gain Martinelli’s release.