2015-04-27 11:32:00

Cardinal Stella: Papal visit to Cuba will be "beautiful"


(Vatican Radio) The recently announced visit by Pope Francis to Cuba will be “beautiful”, because “wherever the Pope goes, he always leaves traces of hope and love,” according to Cardinal Beniamino Stella, The Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy.

Cardinal Stella was speaking after Mass on Sunday in Havana, where he is making  a pastoral visit at the invitation of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Cuba.

Cardinal Stella was the Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba from 1993-1999, and helped make preparations for the historic visit by Pope St. John Paul II in 1998.

He arrived in the country on Wednesday, and has also visited Santiago de Cuba, Las Tunas, Bayamo and Camagüey.

His visit coincides with the announcement Pope Francis will visit Cuba in September, on his way to the United States.

"I think each visit by a Pope is an important moment, with much profoundness and much hope for those countries," Cardinal Stella told the EFE news agency.

The Cardinal said he is “confident” the papal visit will help advance the relationship between Cuba and the United States.  Pope Francis is credited with contacting the leaders of both countries, encouraging them to improve relations.

Cardinal Stella’s visit also marks the upcoming 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cuba.

“The Pope remembers and prays strongly for Cuba,” he said.








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