Pope Leo XIV conveyed an affectionate greeting to the people of Cuba, who have a place in his heart. Assured today the Vatican Secretary of State, Paul Richard Gallagher, in a religious ceremony officiated in Havana.
“Cuba has a little corner in the heart of the Holy Father”, said the high official of the Catholic Church in the Mass of Thanksgiving for the beginning of the Pontificate of His Holiness, which was attended by Vice President Salvador Valdes and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.
According to the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See, that institution has felt the presence of the people of the Caribbean island during the nine decades of bilateral relations.
Gallagher recalled that the stay here of the last three pontiffs also reveals the close bond maintained with the authorities, bishops and faithful of this nation that, “for the common good of all Cubans, will be able to count on the Holy See,” he said.
In this context, he urged to support the call of the Supreme Pontiff to live in communion, within a united church in a reconciled world” and under the principles of ‘peace, justice and truth’, he said.
Towards the end of the Eucharist, the Vatican Secretary of State greeted the Vice President of the island and the rest of the authorities present. Among whom was also the Minister of Culture, Alpidio Alonso.
As part of their agenda, this Wednesday Bruno Rodriguez and Paul Richard Gallagher cancelled a commemorative postage stamp for the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and held official talks.
The stamp shows the flags of Cuba and the Holy See, as well as the image of the Most Holy and Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Havana and St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
During the ceremony, held at the El Laguito protocol hall, Foreign Ministry Vice Minister Elio Rodriguez highlighted the constructive and respectful dialogue between the parties over the course of nine decades.
The year 2025 also marks the tenth anniversary of the visit to the Vatican of the leader of the Cuban Revolution, Raul Castro in May 2015, and the apostolic trip of Pope Francis to Cuba in September of the same year, the deputy minister recalled.
He also recalled that Cuba also had the honor of receiving the visits of the Supreme Pontiffs John Paul II, in 1998, and Benedict XVI, in 2012, and of hosting in 2016 the historic meeting between Pope Francis and His Holiness Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia. An event that he described as of great significance for interreligious dialogue.
With information from Prensa Latina
Translated by Aliani Rojas Fernandez
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