VATICAN

The presence in Cuba of Pope Francis will confirm the good state of relations between the Cuban government and the Holy See, which marked the 80 anniversary of permanent relations, reads an editorial article on Granma newspaper on Tuesday.»

Miguel Diaz-Canel, member of the Politburo of the Cuban Communist Party and First Vice-president of the councils of State and Ministers, met on Monday in Havana with about 100 representatives of religious institutions, fraternal associations and ecumenical organizations of the country.  »

Havana’s Archbishop Cardinal Jaime Ortega called on Cubans to welcome Pope Francis with an open and receptive spirit, ahead of the Holy Father’s visit to the island from September 19th to 22nd.»

Monsignor Dionisio Garcia, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, stressed that the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to the island will be a call for generosity and mercy.»

Cubans all over the country are ready to welcome the Holy Father who will be visiting the island from September 19th to 22nd.»

On occasion of the apostolic visit of Pope Francis to Cuba from September 19th to 22nd, the Foreign Ministry of the island announced the activation of an official website to provide coverage to such an event.»

Cuban President, Raul Castro met on Sunday with the Prime Minister of Italy, Matteo Renzi, during a brief visit to Rome and the Vatican.»

President Raul Castro returned to Cuba on Monday after visiting Algeria, Russia, Italy and the Vatican.  He was welcomed at Havana’s international airport by Vice-president Jose Ramon Machado and by Interior Minister Abelardo Colome Ibarra. Raul Castro, Pope Francis Hold Meeting at Vatican Italian Prime Minister Welcomes Cuban President»

Pope Francis met today with Cuban President Raul Castro in a private audience of about 55 minutes held in the halls near the Paul VI room of the Vatican. The Cuban president travels accompanied by Vice-president of the Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, among other representatives of his government. He was received by the Swiss »

The Holy See confirmed that Pope Francis will receive Cuban President Raul Castro in a private meeting on Sunday, May 10th.»