Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Cuba

Fidel wrote a dedication in it: “For Pope Francis, on occasion of his visit to Cuba, with the admiration and respect of the Cuban people“.

As he celebrated Mass, Francis spoke beneath huge portraits of revolutionary leaders Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos built into the facades of state buildings in Revolution Square. Francis presided over the evening prayer service in Havana’s 18th century cathedral, where he broke from…

Castro’s wife, children and grandchildren were present at the meeting. Francis will n…

While the crowds at the Mass cheered the Pope and waved Vatican flags, many other Cubans were distinctly underwhelmed by his visit.

Pope Francis met with Fidel Castro on Sunday before finishing the day with a vespers service in…

Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend a papal mass in Havana’s Revolution Square later today, before the pope and President Castro have a private meeting.

“God’s holy and faithful people in Cuba is a people with a taste for parties, for friendship, for handsome things”, Francis said.

To welcome the pope, a similarly giant poster of Jesus Christ was hung nearby.

Some believed he was also referring to political opponents of Cuba’s government who are in prison. He encouraged them to refrain from judging one another by “looking to one side or the other to see what our neighbour is doing or not doing”. Father Lombardi said. “We need that kind of awareness that what we do in the halls of Congress affects the people right outside the doors”, said Neal Walsh who serves as Sacred Heart’s social ministry director.

It was a subtle jab at the communist system, which even the Vatican spokesman didn’t deny. He says it was a life-changing experience.

In recent years, Cuban authorities have typically released dissidents after a few hours following their arrest. They also exchanged books on religion as gifts.

The Argentine pontiff leaned out from his white open-air vehicle to grasp the hands of festive onlookers and wave to the crowds gathered under the cloudy sky.

Cuban police detained some dissidents who appeared to be trying to distribute leaflets during the service.

“I want to thank you… the fact that in your speech you’ve cited things that really send a signal of… warmth”, the pope told the Cuban president in an informal greeting.

The FARC, which had asked for a meeting with the pope – something that did not make it onto his agenda for the three-night trip – said his appeal “strengthens” the peace process. He has helped bring about some of that change through brokering Havana’s talks with Washington.