The meeting scheduled with Pope Leo XIV will not take place because of the risk of being unable to return to the Island
14ymedio, Havana, February 10, 2026 – The Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops has canceled the trip to the Vatican it had announced for February 16, due to the possible mass cancellation of flights to the Island caused by the critical fuel shortage. They announced their decision on Sunday, one day after the Cuban government stated that, starting February 9 and for an entire month, the country would not have enough jet fuel to refuel aircraft arriving on the Island.
The prelates’ visit was the traditional Ad Limina Apostolorum, during which every five years they present the Supreme Pontiff with a report on the situation of their dioceses, but on this occasion it had raised many expectations. First, because it would have been the first meeting with the new pope, and second, because of the situation in Cuba, under pressure from the United States. Pope Leo XIV himself expressed his concern about Cuba last week from St. Peter’s Square and called on both countries to engage in “sincere and effective dialogue.”
The Cuban bishops themselves had warned that, over the past six months, the country’s situation has deteriorated
The Cuban bishops themselves had warned that, over the past six months, the country’s situation has deteriorated and that anguish and hopelessness have spread among the population. It was therefore expected that they would take directly to the Vatican a message about the seriousness of the social and economic scenario the Island is going through. There was also an expectation within the Church that the meeting would help strengthen a more active role of mediation and international accompaniment, as has occurred at other times, when the Catholic Church in Cuba has taken part in humanitarian efforts, in processes leading to the release of political prisoners and in channeling aid through Caritas.
Like the prelates, many travelers are wondering what to do about their trips to Cuba. There are currently about 4,000 Russian tourists on the Island, so Russian and Cuban authorities are in talks. Some airlines, such as Air Canada, have canceled all their flights to Cuba, while others, like Iberia and Air Europa, have sought alternatives such as refueling in the Dominican Republic to maintain their routes to Cuba. In any case, the outlook is uncertain, and embassies such as those of Sweden, Spain, Mexico, and the United States have issued alerts to their citizens due to the deterioration of living conditions on the Island.
Translated by Regina Anavy
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