“I think he himself might be a little nervous about arriving in the U.S. He’s never been there, his English is not very good, and he is a Latin American who shares many of his fellow countrymen’s diffidence toward the big, wealthy, energy-sucking superpower to the North”.
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It would be a pity if the Pope’s obvious affection for Cuba resulted in him avoiding all criticism – and critics – of the regime, however.
The pope’s homily in Havana included no direct political message besides urging the successful conclusion of Colombia peace talks that have been taking place in Cuba for almost three years. If he does not address human rights in his sermons, he should press home the point in private conversations with officials.
“This visit is like a breath of hope blowing over Cuba, more than anything because of the role that the pope played in the reestablishment of relations”, said Diego Carrera, a 71-year-old retired state worker in Havana.
After decades of communism, Mass attendance in Cuba is low; even the Holy See reports that only 60 per cent of the population is baptised Catholic.
The former revolutionary leader wrote a dedication inside the book: “To Pope Francis, with the admiration and respect of the Cuban people”. “We are an optimistic people, but we have suffered for many years”.
Pope Francis landed in Cuba on September 19.
Prominent Cuban dissidents were prevented from attending Pope Francis’ mass in Havana, as well as a meet- and-greet with the pontiff.
In the afternoon, the pope met with Raúl Castro, 84, at the Palace of the Revolution. This papal visit came as the US and Cuba have restored diplomatic relations, thanks in part to some behind-the-scenes brokering by the Vatican.
Raul Garcia, a taxi driver, said: “We’ve had two papal visits already and nothing changed for ordinary people”.
In Cuba, most of the residents are Catholic, but fewer than 10% practice their faith.
In his prayer, Francis alluded to the splitting of the Cuban people into a group that has stayed on the island and exiles who have fled, mainly to the United States – a painful legacy of the two countries’ Cold War standoff.
The embargo remains, but on Friday, using his executive authority to circumvent Congress, Obama issued new regulations allowing USA citizens to travel to Cuba.
TONY GENTILE / POOL/EPA Cuba’s President Raul Castro (l.) waves alongside Argentina’s President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner (r.) as they arrive at Pope Francis’ Sunday Mass in Havana.
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As for Cuban politics, he has spoken in what might be called “pope code”.
