Pope Francis Sends Greetings to Fidel Castro

Upon arriving in Cuba and from the José Martí AIrport, Pope Francis sent greetings to the historical leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro.

In his speech during the official welcoming ceremony attended by President Raul Castro, he conveyed a special salutation to Fidel Castro.

“Thanks to all those who have strived for preparing this pastoral visit. I would like to ask you, Mr. President, to convey my feelings of special consideration and respect to your brother Fidel,” said the Pope.

He also thanked President Raul Castro for the welcoming ceremony and his words on behalf of the Cuban government and people, and also thanked the authorities and members of the Diplomatic Corps present in the air terminal.

He recalled that the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Vatican will be celebrated this year and that he arrives to Cuba following the trails of his predecessors John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

“We are renewing today these links of cooperation and friendship for the Church to continue supporting and encouraging the Cuban people in his hopes and concerns,” he said.

Referring to our Lady of Caridad del Cobre, he said the veterans of the Independence War. Moved by the feelings og faith and patriotism were the ones who asked for the Mambisa Virgin to be the patroness of Cuba as a free and sovereign nation.

He said that Cuba is an archipelago that looks at all ways, with an extraordinary value as the key between the North and the South, the East and the West and its cultural vocation is to be the point of encounter for all the people to gather in friendship, as dreamed of by Jose Marti.