Pope Francis In Cuba

Greeted Enthusiastically

{Photo courtesy: AFP/Yamil Lage}

      Cuban President Raul Castro and massively enthused crowds of Cubans yesterday welcomed Pope Francis to the island for a significant four-day adventure.

 {Photo courtesy: AFP/Yamil Lage}

Pope Francis speaking in Spanish to Cuban children.

{Photo courtesy: CNN}

    After the long flight from Rome, the 78-year-old, Argentinian-born Pope Francis appeared tired when he made a short speech at Jose Marti Airport in Havana. He said, "For some months now, we have witnessed an event which fills us with hope." He was referencing the attempts by Presidents Castro and Obama to normalize relations between Cuba and the U.S., a process that Pope Francis himself instigated. He added, "The process of normalizing relations between two peoples following years of estrangement is an example of reconciliation for the entire world." He also called on Cuba "to open itself to the world." He then made a pertinent reference to Jose Marti, who died fighting Spanish imperialism in 1895. Pope Francis called Marti "a fighter against dynasties," an obvious critique of the Castro rule in Cuba since 1959.

{Photo courtesy: AP/Desmond Boylan}

Pope Francis riding down a street in Havana.

            Pope Francis will be in Cuba for four days -- till Tuesday, September 22nd. Then he will fly to the U. S. for a 5-day visit. Today -- Sunday, September 20th -- he will speak at Revolutionary Plaza in Havana. His other two major speeches in Cuba will be in Holguin and Santiago de Cuba as he travels down the coastal highway from Havana on the western end of the alligator-shaped island to the southeastern tip.

          Pope Francis hopes to meet with Fidel Castro today, Sunday. That has been confirmed by the Vatican's chief spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi. The request was extended to Fidel's wife, Dalia Soto del Valle, who will determine if the 89-year-old revolutionary legend is healthy enough to meet Pope Francis. Fidel had warm meetings with Pope John Paul II in 1998 and with Pope Benedict XVI in 1998.  

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