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

Francis Spoke Of "Reconciliation" In Response To Castro's Combative
Speech / 14ymedio
Posted on September 20, 2015

14ymedio, 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."

"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.

Source: Francis Spoke Of "Reconciliation" In Response To Castro's
Combative Speech / 14ymedio | Translating Cuba -
http://translatingcuba.com/43216-2/