The high hierarchy of Catholic church could address the situation in Cuba again when a group of bishops arrive at the Vatican in the next few days for the traditional visit Ad Limina Apostorum.
According to refers the agency ANSABishop Emilio Aranguren confirmed that between February 16 and 20, Cuban religious will have the opportunity to meet with the Pope Leo XIV as part of that visit.
This type of exchange takes place every five years, and visiting bishops take advantage of the opportunity to report on the situation in their dioceses.
In addition, they make a pilgrimage to the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul, as dictated by the Code of Canon Law.
This time the visit coincides with the complex moment that the island is experiencing and the threats issued by the Trump Administration, which intends punish with high tariffs to countries that maintain a supply of oil to the country.
Given these circumstances, the Cuban Episcopal Conference issued a statement in which it warned about the worsening of the social and economic situation on the island, which aggravated the anguish and hopelessness among its inhabitants.
“The recent news, which announces, among others, the elimination of all possibility of oil entering the country, triggers alarms, especially for the less fortunate,” the text stated.
In the message addressed to “all Cubans of good will,” the bishops advocated “the path of dialogue to resolve disagreements.”
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A day later, the Supreme Pontiff supported the message of Cuban Catholics and urged from St. Peter’s Square “all those responsible to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, to avoid violence and any action that could increase the suffering of the Cuban people.”
In turn, he invoked the Virgin of Charity of Cobre to protect the citizens of the Island.
Negotiating role
During the last decades, the high authorities of the Catholic Church have sought ways to act as a mediator in the historic conflict between Cuba and the United States, and their role has been transcendental in bringing positions closer together.
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It would not be ruled out that Leo XIV, together with the Cuban bishops, once again offered the good offices of the Catholic Church to contribute to a de-escalation of the complex situation, for the benefit of the population.
Cuba and the Vatican have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations for the last 90 years, and on the occasion of that celebration visited the island in June of last year the secretary of the Holy See for Relations with States and International Organizations, Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher.
During his stay in the country, the bishop held meetings with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla.
