Pope Francis defended lifting the U.S. blockade on Cuba on Tuesday, as his visit to the island came to an end before flying to the United States.
“The problem of the blockade is part of the negotiations,” he said, notably using the word “blockade” instead of “embargo.”
“That is public, both presidents have talked about it and it is being dealt with, in the context of improving relations ... It is my desire that this should be completed with an agreement that satisfies both parties,” said the Pontiff to the press accompanying him on his tour as he boarded plane taking from Santiago de Cuba to the U.S. military base of Andrews, in Maryland.
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The Pope added that he will not raise this specific topic again when he addresses the U.S. Congress, but will instead speak more generally about the importance of “bilateral or multinational agreements.”