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Pope Francis arrived in Cuba Saturday at 4:00 p.m. local time in a historic visit to the island nation. The visit is part of a nine-day tour of Cuba and the United States.
He was received by President Raul Castro at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport.
During his welcoming speech, Castro spoke about the importance of solidarity and equality, and said socialism was the only way in which Cuba could guarantee independence, sovereignty and development. He further thanked the pope for leading efforts to normalize the troubled diplomatic relations between the United States govenrment and Havana.
“Your Holiness, we appreciate and thank you for your support in conversations between the U.S. and Cuba,” the head of state said.
Castro also spoke about global issues, highlighting the consequences that current crises have on third world nations and minorities.
“As his Holiness says, humanity is called by necessity to change the way we live, produce and consume,” added the Cuban president.
Meanwhile Pope Francis remembered the 100th anniversary of Virgin of Charity of Cobre, the patron saint of Cuba, which coincided with the Pointiff’s visit.
He praised Cuba’s courage, and highlighted its importance in the world.
“(Cuba’s) natural calling is being a meeting point which unites all peoples as Jose Marti dreamed,” Francis added.
The head of the Catholic Church praised the renewed U.S.-Cuba relations, saying it provides an example of reconciliation in today’s troubled world affairs.
“The world needs reconciliation amid this atmosphere of incremental steps towards a third world war,” added the pope, referring to ongoing conflicts around the globe.
People lining the street as the pope passes in Havana, Saturday. | Photo: EFE
During his visit, the pope is scheduled to hold mass on Sunday, followed by an official meeting with Castro, and possibly his predecessor Fidel Castro.
Argentina’s President Crisitna Kirchner, who is in Havana to participate in Sunday’s mass and meet with the pope, also greeted the courage of the Cuban people through her Twitter account. Her admiration was accompanied by a video of her arrival to the island.
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A Cuba nadie le ha regalado nada, se lo han ganado ustedes los cubanos. https://t.co/AwEngKfuUk
— Cristina Kirchner (@CFKArgentina)
septiembre 19, 2015
“Nobody has given anything to Cuba, the Cubans have earned what they have,” reads the tweet.
The visit comes during a historic time for Cuba, with the United States seeking to improve ties with the Caribbean nation. Pope Francis himself has been one of the most prominent proponents of renewing ties between the two countries.
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On Friday, the U.S. government issued new regulations easing restrictions on U.S. companies seeking to do business in Cuba and opening up travel, as measure to soften the five-decade blockade on the country. Fully lifting the blockade, something the pope supports, would not only end the harm done to Cubans but would also be a key step towards fully restoring relations between the two countries.
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The new regulations are aimed at travel, telecommunications, internet-based services, business operations, banking and remittances, and allow U.S. companies to establish a presence in Cuba, Reuters reported. They also open up telecommunications and Internet services between the two nations.
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