To his particular charisma, this cheerful and frank way of approaching the people, with sensitivity and even with humor, which characterized him along all his stay in our country, there are many who attribute it to his Latin American condition, which, for idiosyncrasy, removes him from any rigid protocol and makes him much more natural, so much in the fulfillment of the religious rites, as out of them.

That in only 17 years three Popes have visited us (Saint John Pablo II, in 1998, Benedict VI, in 2012, and now the Supreme Pontiff Francis) speaks about the interest of the Bishops of Rome in this small island nation and it is simultaneously a recognition to its existence like nation and its presence at international scale.

In the case of Francis there existed the precedent of his personal participation in the approach between Cuba and the United States, which as it is known it ended with the reestablishment of the diplomatic relations between both nations, after over half a century of hostile isolation, in addition to his calles to the cessation of the blockade (he calls it by its name) with which the US government tries to asphyxiate the Revolution and the Cuban people and that is still functioning.

Smiling and friendly, in his motorcar without armored windows, to enjoy the tropical breeze and the hospitable feeling of the island nation, greeted by thousands of Cuban since he came to the international airport José Martí, of Havana, and along his journey of over 800 kilometers through the oriental provinces of Holguín and Santiago de Cuba, people saw Pope Francis visibly moved and in recognition to it, he exclaimed: Thanks for made me feel like home, in family!

He delivered three masses, kicking off for that of the Square of the Revolution, in the capital, that of Holguín in a similar place, and that of the Sanctum of Our Lady of the Caridad del Cobre, in Santiago de Cuba , Virgin of the Cubans, blessed its respective settlers, met bishops, priests and religious, received families in temples, prayed for sick and helpless, conversed with the young people, descended many times from his car during the trips to greet children and other persons, in an unusual gesture, and asked “to take care of the grandparents, of the boys, of the young people, because the country that does it has the victory secured”.

If hospitable, cordial and respectful the people was, the governmental authorities were also to this height, since the Cuban president, Raúl Castro gave him the welcome at his arrival, accompanied him in the all the masses, received him in the Council of the State, conversed with him in every opportunity, and said good bye in Santiago de Cuba, from where he set off towards the United States, while in the course of the flight, sent a message to Raúl where he expressed “my deep gratitude to his excellence and to the whole Cuban people for his warm welcome to the country” and invoked the God's blessing for all and promised us his prayers for our peace and prosperity.

Translated by BA in English Language, Manuel Barrera Téllez

{flike} {plusone} {ttweet}