Francis Spoke Of “Reconciliation” In Response To Castro’s Combative Speech / 14ymedio

Pope Francisco greets Cubans from his popemobile on Saturday upon his arrival in Havana (Photo EFE / Rolando Pujol)
Pope Francis greets Cubans from his popemobile on Saturday upon his arrival in Havana (Photo EFE / Rolando Pujol)

14ymedio bigger14ymedio, 19 September 2015 — A strong wind at the Jose Marti International Airport blew Pope Francis’s skullcap of when he got off the plane from Rome that landed on Saturday afternoon at 3:48 in the afternoon.

Jorge Mario Bergoglio addressed President Raul Castro and asked him “to transmit feelings of special consideration and respect for his brother Fidel.” He particularly mentioned that his “greeting came especially to all those people who for various reasons I cannot meet and to all Cubans dispersed around the world.”

In his welcoming speech, Raul Castro recalled “the memorable meeting” he had with the Pope at the Vatican last May that “provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on some of the most important issues of the world.”

The Cuban president said that “the government and the Catholic Church in Cuba maintain relations in an uplifting atmosphere… We have closely followed his pronouncements, the Apostolic Exhortation ‘The Joy of Gospel,’ about social issues, and the encyclical letter ‘Praise be to you’.” added Raul Castro.

“We thank you for your support for the dialogue between the United States and Cuba,” the Cuban leader emphasized, calling the restoration of diplomatic relations “a first step in the process towards normalization of ties between the two countries.” But he insisted on the need, in relations between nations, to “fully respect the inalienable right of every State to choose its political system.”

Francis spoke of the victory of the culture of “dialogue and engagement over the system – dead forever – of dynasties and groups.”

“We are moving resolutely in updating our economic and social model to build a prosperous and sustainable socialism,” he said. He lost no opportunity to remind the pope that “the blockade, which causes human losses and deprivation to Cuban families,” is “cruel, immoral and illegal” and said that it “must stop.” He also spoke out against the “predatory actions of the rich countries and large multinationals.”

For his part, the Pope used his words to encourage the governments of Cuba and the United States to “continue to advance” in normalizing their relations and “developing their full potential.” He repeated the warning he has pronounced on several opportunities: “The world needs reconciliation in this atmosphere of World War III in stages in which we are living.”

Generating special sympathy among Cuban democrats was the choice of the Bishop of Rome to quote from José Martí in saying that the process of rapprochement between Cuba and the United States is a sign of the victory of the culture of “dialogue and engagement over the system – dead forever – of dynasties and groups.”

Francis said that “this apostolic visit also coincides with the centenary of the declaration of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre as the Patroness of Cuba, by Benedict XV.” He recalled that his program in Cuba will take him “to Cobre, as a son and pilgrim, to as our Mother for all her Cuban children and for this beloved Nation, that it may pass through the paths of justice, peace, freedom and reconciliation.”

John Paul II was also present in the Pope’s speech, evoking “his ardent appeal” that “Cuba opens itself with all its magnificent possibilities to the world and that the world open itself to Cuba”

At the end of his speech, the papal entourage began an extensive tour of the streets of Havana heading toward the Nunciature in the Playa municipality.