The Pope has now left Cuba which was the final leg of a visit to Latin America. As
the Papal plane took off from Havana’s international airport, Cubans were already
reflecting on this short but highly significant visit. One of those Cubans was the
Vice-President of World Catholic Association for Communication or SIGNIS, Gustavo
Andújar who lives in Havana and works for the Archdiocese there.
He attended
a mass presided over by Pope Benedict XVI with hundreds of thousands of his fellow
Cuban’s who packed into Havana’s Revolution Square on Thursday.
He spoke to
Lydia O’Kane about the experience of being in the square for such an event.
“It
was marvellous, the weather was beautiful, absolutely gorgeous… The square was very
well prepared; the altar was erected there, it was a very nice set up with a number
of typical Cuban elements.”
Speaking about the Pope’s homily, Mr Andújar said
the Pope touched delicate subjects with “great delicacy”.
He spoke about another
highlight of the Pope’s visit, his pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Charity
of El Cobre saying that it was an important event because this patron saint of Cuba
is a symbol of unity for the Cuban people.
Mr Andújar also reflected on the
effect the visit will have on the life of the Church in Cuban society. Listen to the
full interview with Lydia O’Kane