The Holy See Press Office Director Jesuit Father Federico
Lombardi said this morning in Rome that “The fact that the Cuban authorities
have immediately accepted the request made by the Holy Father to President Raul
Castro, declaring next Good Friday a holiday, is certainly a very positive
sign. The Holy See hopes that this will facilitate participation in religious
celebrations and favor a happy Easter holiday. It also hopes that the Holy
Father’s visit may continue to produce fruits for the good of the Church and of
all Cubans.”
Tag: Cuba
Pope Benedict tells Cuba: We can no longer continue in the same cultural and moral direction
Pope Benedict
speaking at the Welcome Ceremony in Cuba said, he comes as a pilgrim of charity
to strengthen the people in faith. 14 years ago Blessed John Paul II was in
Cuba.
The pontiff acknowledges that Cuba is looking to the future to broaden
its horizons based on the spiritual and moral values which stand out in
the many the notable people of Cuban history which serve all peoples.
Benedict
takes on selfish government practices and intellectual, spiritual and cultural
demise, by looking to the deep need for reconciliation by hope and bringing
people together.
The Pope comes to kneel down in front of Our Lady of Charity
on the 400th anniversary of her appearance in Cuban. For the Pope, and
therefore for us, he notes truth that the Holy Virgin formed our Christian
identity (our roots) were and continue to shape the soul. It is the Virgin Mary
who is the keystone of the true identity of the Cuban people pointing to her
Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the beginning of yet another revolution in Cuba, actually, it is the Papal Revolution, Part II.
The Pope’s text follows:
Thank you, Mr President, for your welcome and your
kind words, with which you also conveyed the sentiments of respect of the Cuban
government and people for the Successor of Peter. I greet the civil authorities
here present, as well as the members of the diplomatic corps. I cordially greet
the President of the Episcopal Conference, Archbishop Dionisio Guillermo García
Ibáñez of Santiago de Cuba; the Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega y
Alamino, and my other Brother Bishops of Cuba, and I assure them of my deep
spiritual closeness. Finally, I greet with heartfelt affection all the faithful
of the Catholic Church in Cuba, the beloved people of this beautiful island,
and all Cubans wherever they may be. You are always present in my heart and
prayers, especially in the days preceding the much anticipated moment of my
visit to you, which the grace and goodness of God has made possible.