The informal conversation included an exchange of books and discussion about big issues facing humanity, including Francis’ recent letter to bishops on the environment and the global economic system.
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In return the former Cuban leader gave the Pope the book “Fidel and Religion” written by Brazilian theologian Frei Betto in 1985.
At mass Sunday morning, celebrated in Havana’s iconic Revolution Plaza, the pope urged Cubans to serve others and not ideologies. The Argentinian pope is the first to be elected from South America.
There is great anticipation for what Francis will say in the United States, where he will meet with US President Barack Obama, deliver the first address by a pope before Congress, and speak at the United Nations.
The Vatican stressed that no official meeting had been planned with the dissidents.
Monday night, Francis visited a shrine in nearby El Cobre dedicated to Our Lady of Charity, the patron saint of Cuba, capping another long, busy day for the 78-year-old pontiff.
Raul Castro, an atheist like his brother, surprised the pope by giving him a sculpture of a life-sized crucified Jesus Christ against a backdrop of fishing nets and oars.
Pope Francis greets a child on a wheelchair during a meeting with a group of Cuban youth in Havana, Cuba, Sunday September 20, 2015.
For his part, Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, confirmed that Pope Francis had met the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution Fidel Castro.
The pope is expected to head to Santiago on Cuba’s eastern end before flying Tuesday to Washington for the USA leg of his visit.
It’s the way in which the pope handles those topics and others that impress and inspire many people. Tomorrow, he’s scheduled to arrive in Washington, D.C., at 4 p.m.
Cuban police have prevented political dissidents from attending public events, even after some dissidents were invited by Vatican diplomats.
While addressing the crowd of 150,000, Francis encouraged Cubans “to slowly overcome our preconceptions and our reluctance to think that others, much less ourselves, can change”.
President Raul Castro, who has said the pope has inspired him to consider joining the Catholic Church, effusively praised Francis on Saturday, particularly for his criticism of consumerism and environmental degradation.
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There were high hopes among many Cubans that the Pope’s visit would spur the Castro regime towards enacting further reforms in the country, where many survive on an average monthly wage of $25 (€22).
