Care For Those On The Margins: Detroit Archbishop Meeting Pope In DC

Cuba’s Cardinal Jaime Ortega, right, stands behind Pope Francis in the popemobile as they arrive for Mass at Revolution Plaza in Havana, Cuba, Sunday, September 20, 2015.

Francis has been getting his own house in order since being elected as the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Americas in March 2103.

Cuban police kept some dissidents from attending the Mass and pounced on others apparently attempting to hand out flyers near the plaza.

As Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Cuba on Sunday, Cuban-Americans did the same here in South Florida – but most prayed that the Pope would convince Cuba’s communist leader, Raúl Castro, to adopt more democratic reforms on the island.

Climbing the steep road to a hilltop cross where the pontiff will bless her city, Mendez cited benefits associated with Francis: the USA diplomatic breakthrough, the release of more than 3,500 common prisoners, and the fresh paint and renovations at the places he will visit.

Dr Castro gave the pontiff a copy of Fidel And Religion, a 1985 book of interviews with a Brazilian priest which lifted a taboo on speaking about religion in Cuba, then officially atheist.

Two well-known Cuban dissidents say the Vatican invited them to attend the pope’s vespers service at the Cathedral of Havana but Cuban security agents detained them and temporarily held them so they could not go.

“Whoever wishes to be great must serve others, not be served by others”, he said.

Pope Francis called on Cubans to heed Jesus Christ’s invitation to overcome resistance to change. He echoed that call again to young people gathered at a Catholic community center in the shadows of Old Havana’s cathedral.

Upon his arrival, Francis urged the USA and Cuba to persevere with their rapprochement – setting “an example of reconciliation for the entire world“.

But the Church nevertheless faces numerous struggles in Cuba. “This pope is really something different and a breath of fresh air for the church”, said parishioner George Raiss.

Later in the day, he flew to Santiago for an evening visit to the shrine of Cuba’s patron saint, and on Tuesday he will arrive in Washington for the US leg of his visit to the two former Cold War enemies. From there he will make visits in New York City and Philadelphia.

In his first two days in Havana, the pope met Cuba’s Fidel and Raul Castro.