Fr Lombardi on Pope's visit to Cuba

(Vatican Radio) The visit of Pope Francis to Cuba is the third visit of a Pope to this nation. The journey of the Holy Father comes amid an easing of tensions between Cuba and the United States.

Our Correspondent in Cuba, Seàn Patrick Lovett asked the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, about the Pope’s contribution to this easing of strains between the two countries and what it means for Cuba.

Listen: 

Father Lombardi says that, “Pope Francis comes with a great moral authority and credibility for the people here in Cuba and also in the United States...”

He goes on say that the Holy Father is coming to a place where there is an “atmosphere of hope”,  and that there is something concrete going on, “not only words”.

Fr Lombardi also says that the Pope can give important encouragement to the Church in Cuba and the nation as a whole, describing the country as a “land of encounter”.