MADRID, Spain.- Cardinal Beniamino Stella will begin a visit to Cuba this Monday as envoy of Pope Francis.
During her stay, Stella will hold talks with Cuban authorities and carry out other pastoral activities, according to reported the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX).
Cardinal Stella, who was apostolic nuncio to Cuba between 1993 and 1999, also visited the country in April 2015. On that occasion he met with the Episcopal Conference and priests, deacons and seminarians in several Cuban dioceses. Just as he held official meetings with the authorities and celebrated Eucharists in the Cathedrals of Havana, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba.
Stella’s current visit is due to the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s trip to Cuba.
Visit of John Paul II to Cuba
Pope John Paul II was on the Island from January 21 to 25, 1998. During those days he visited Havana, Santa Clara, Camagüey and Santiago de Cuba; and he offered masses in each of these provinces. The last one was in the Plaza de la Revolución, in the presence of Fidel Castro and around a million people.
In his words pronounced on the Island, John Paul II addressed issues such as human rights, family, childhood, abortion and poverty; just as he expressed that “Cuba should open up to the world with all its magnificent possibilities.”
This was the first visit of a pope to the island. Between March 22 and 26, 2012, Benedict XVI traveled to Cuba, and between September 19 and 20, 2015, Pope Francis did.
Recent words from Pope Francis for the anniversary of the historic visit
Recently the current pontiff, Franciscowhen remembering this event sent a message to Cuban men and women.
In a long letter, the Pope noted: “I encourage you to return to your Cuban and Christian roots, that is, to your own identity, which has generated and continues to generate the life of that country. Those roots have been strengthened, allowing us to see them grow and flourish in the testimony of so many of you who work and sacrifice every day for others, not only for your family, but also for your neighbors and friends, for the whole town, and so special for those most in need.
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