Pope Leo XIV's Familiar Ties with Cuba: A Pre-Papacy Connection

The newly appointed Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has established a notable connection with Cuba through multiple visits prior to assuming the papacy. Accounts from local media, priests, and devout followers have verified his presence across various regions of the island, both as a religious leader of the Order of Saint Augustine and in his episcopal capacity in recent years.

Reiniel Jiménez Gil, a nurse, reminisced on Facebook about the time the current Pope visited Chambas, a municipality in Ciego de Ávila, back in 2008 when he was the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine. "We had the pleasure of meeting him in Chambas in April 2008," wrote Reiniel, alongside two photos showing Prevost dining with a Cuban family, sharing a meal as part of the household.

The Facebook post further revealed that Prevost dined with Cuban Catholic families on two occasions: at the homes of Dalia Buchillon and Celerina Darias, affectionately known in the Chambas parish as Celita. "There you can see the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, along with priests Paulos Santos Gonzálves, Quirilio Matos Batista, and Father Javier," the post detailed.

In another Facebook entry, television journalist Esther González shared images from a subsequent trip to Cuba in 2011, specifically to Holguín. "Leo XIV in Cuba as the prior of the Order of Saint Augustine in 2011: Beside him, Bishop Emilio Aranguren of Holguín, who kindly shared his testimony for Canal Caribe," she explained.

The Pope also visited Las Tunas twice, as confirmed by the Periódico 26, which supported its report with "documents provided by witnesses of his stay here." Prevost visited Puerto Padre in April 2008 and returned in February 2011. Additionally, according to reports, he made a return journey to Cuba in November 2019, by then serving as a bishop and the president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, as part of a pastoral visit.

"He participated in the closure of the Jubilee Year commemorating the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Habana," the Cuban newspaper reported. "He celebrated Masses and met with the faithful in Havana, convened with Cuban bishops to discuss pastoral challenges, and also visited the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary," it added.

A New Era in Vatican-Cuba Relations

Robert Francis Prevost, at 69 years old, has become the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he is the first American Pope and also holds Peruvian citizenship, having spent years in that country. Following his election, Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel extended their congratulations, eager to project an image of harmony and continuity in relations with the Vatican.

"Your Holiness: I extend my heartfelt congratulations on your election as Supreme Pontiff. I trust that your Pontificate will significantly contribute to peace and dialogue. Cuba will continue to foster positive relations with the Holy See," expressed Raúl Castro in a note.

Similarly, Díaz-Canel tweeted: "We share the will to promote dialogue and peace. We will continue working to strengthen relations between Cuba and the Holy See, marking their 90th anniversary this year."

The election of Leo XIV heralds a new chapter in the Vatican-Cuba relationship, characterized by historic papal visits to the Island by the last three pontiffs: John Paul II in 1998, Benedict XVI in 2012, and Francis in 2015.

These messages from Cuban authorities to Leo XIV come amid a deep political, economic, and social crisis on the Island, with increasing allegations of human rights violations and repression.