Fidel Awaits The Pope

Pope Francis Arrives Saturday

           The Vatican in Rome has confirmed that Pope Francis is anxious to meet Fidel Castro when his trip to Cuba and the United States begins Saturday. {Photos courtesy Associated press}. A native of Argentina, the 78-year-old Pope Francis will speak to the Cubans, including Fidel, in Spanish. In Cuba he will make speeches in Havana, Holguin, and Santiago de Cuba. In the U. S. he will visit Washington, where he will address both houses of Congress, New York City, and Philadelphia. Pope Francis, an exceptional advocate for poor people, was instrumental in persuading Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro to begin the tedious process of normalizing relations between the United States and Cuba for the first time in decades.

          The Popemobile has already arrived in Cuba. {Courtesy: Ramon Espinosa/AP}. This photo shows the Popemobile taking a test drive around Havana prior to the arrival of the Pope Saturday, September 19th.

            Anyone desiring to meet Fidel Castro must ask and get permission from his wife, Dalia Soto del Valle. She married Fidel in 1980 shortly after the death of his revolutionary soul-mate Celia Sanchez, who had requested that her friend Dalia marry Fidel and "watch over him." She's done that meticulously, especially since his near-fatal illness in 2006. Dalia and Fidel are the parents of five very devoted sons. 

         Dalia carefully orchestrated Fidel's 89th birthday {above} on August 13th. President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela and President Evo Morales of Bolivia were among the guests. Dalia has also approved recent visits from the Presidents of China, Russia, and France. She believes his favorite guests in recent years have been the three Latin American female Presidents -- Dilma Rousseff of Brazil, Cristina Fernandez of Argentina, and Michelle Bachelet of Chile. The Vatican has already let Dalia know that Pope Francis will await her decision as to if, when, and where he can visit Fidel. The meeting will likely be at Fidel's home.

In 2012 Fidel warmly welcomed Pope Benedict to Havana.

In 1998 Fidel warmly welcomed Pope John Paul to Havana.

          This Associated Press photo shows a Cuban entrepreneur driving a couple of tourists around in his classic American convertible. They are driving past a billboard welcoming Pope Francis to the island.

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