In his first speech in Havana, in the presence of Raúl Castro, Francis greets Fidel, encourages the process that led to the re-establishment of diplomatic ties with Washington and calls for freedom and resources for the Church in Cuba. Tomorrow Francis will meet Fidel at his residence.
“For some months now, we have witnessed an event which fills us with hope: the process of normalizing relations between two peoples following years of estrangement.” Pope Francis has arrived in Havana, for the first leg of his transatlantic journey that takes him to Cuba and then the US. In his first speech, he encourages the thaw which occurred in recent months, spurred by Vatican diplomacy.
Speaking to journalists on board the flight to Cuba, the Pope said: "the world is thirsting for peace" and mentioned the tragic waves of migration caused by war. "I was very touched because one of the families of refugees who are staying in the parish of Sant'Anna came to bid me farewell: you could see the look of pain on their faces... Thank you for all the work you are going to be doing to build bridges, even small ones."
In the presence of Raúl Castro, who went to greet him at the airport, the Pope quoted the poet and journalist José Martí, the 19th century revolutionary who fought against the Spanish occupation of Cuba, affirming with his words that the thaw in US-Cuban relations marks the victory of “the system of universal growth” over “the forever-dead system of groups and dynasties”. Francis encouraged “political leaders to persevere on this path and to develop all its potentialities as a proof of the high service which they are called to carry out on behalf of the peace and well-being of their peoples, of all America, and as an example of reconciliation for the entire world.”
The agreement that drew Raúl Castro and Barack Obama together, leading to the resumption of diplomatic relations, was signed in the Vatican, in the presence of the Vatican Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin and Francis acted as guarantor. Now, the Pope is asking for this work to be continued and so he repeated the appeal sent out by John Paul II, who in 1998 invited Cuba, with “all its magnificent possibilities”, to open itself up to the world and the world open itself to Cuba.
In his welcome speech, Raúl Castro recalled "his appreciation for the Pope's support in the process of normalisation of US-Cuban relations." "The embargo which is causing so much harm," Castro stressed, "is cruel, immoral and illegal; it needs to stop." "Guantanamo need sto be rerurned to Cuba".
In his speech, Francis asked the president “to convey my sentiments of particular respect and consideration to your brother Fidel”. He then sent a special greeting to those “who, for various reasons, I will not be able to meet, and to Cubans throughout the world.” Francis spared a thought for those who are unable to take part in one of the events organised in three Cuban cities, for reasons relating to work, distance and transportation or because they are in prison.
At the foot of the airplane stairs the Pope was welcomed with a floral wreathe brought to him by a couple of children. He recalled that this year marks the 80th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Holy See. “Today we renew those bonds of cooperation and friendship, so that the Church can continue to support and encourage the Cuban people in its hopes and concerns, with the freedom, the means and the space needed to bring the proclamation of the Kingdom to the existential peripheries of society.”
A clear reference to the problems the Church faces in terms of means and structures, despite the changes made following the previous papal visits. After John Paul II’s Cuban voyage, Fidel declared Christmas a public holiday and after Benedict XVI’s visit, Good Friday also became an official holiday.
Pope Francis expressed the wish that Cuba, an “archipelago” facing all directions and has “extraordinary value” as a “key” between north and south, east and west, may increasingly come to discover “its natural vocation”: being “a point of encounter for all peoples to join in friendship”.
In Cuba there is still hope for a meeting between the Pope and representatives of the opposition.
Tomorrow Francis is to meet Fidel at his residence.
