Pope Leo XIV's Deep Connection to the Cuban People Revealed by Religious Leader

José Alberto Escobar, a representative of the Order of Saint Augustine in Cuba, revealed that the newly elected Pope Leo XIV holds the Cuban people close to his heart and has an intimate understanding of their situation. Escobar explained that Prevost, who visited Cuba in April 2008 and again in February 2011, has firsthand experience with the island's reality, as reported in an interview with the Catholic media outlet ACI.

During his 2008 visit, the current Bishop of Rome, who served as the Prior General of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013, spent significant time engaging with communities in Chambas (Diocese of Ciego de Ávila) and Puerto Padre (Diocese of Holguín). Three years later, in 2011, his focus shifted to overseeing the annual Assembly where Augustinians assess and plan essential aspects of their community and personal lives in Cuba.

Throughout these visits, Prevost immersed himself in the lives of parishioners, sharing in their joys, concerns, fears, and challenges. As Escobar noted, Prevost connected with the local people by visiting and staying in their homes, fostering a personal connection. Escobar emphasized that the current Holy Father has always embraced his mission with authenticity and simplicity, maintaining a keen interest in the faith life of the Church in Cuba and his fellow Augustinians.

“He collaborates with our Good Shepherd, and this firsthand knowledge and love will be beneficial for the Church and, by extension, for Cuba. His presence and ministry bring immense joy and hope to the faithful and Augustinian brothers in the country,” Escobar highlighted.

The Return of the Augustinians to Cuba

Recently, another Cuban religious figure, Monsignor Emilio Aranguren Echeverría, the current Bishop of Holguín, reminisced about the simple yet profound impact of Prevost's 2008 visit to the country. Aranguren Echeverría recounted how Prevost facilitated the return of the Augustinians to Cuba after being expelled by Fidel Castro in 1961.

Aranguren, along with the late Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, visited Prevost in Rome in 2005 to request the return of the Augustinians to Cuba. Their efforts bore fruit a year later, first in Ciego de Ávila, then Puerto Padre (Holguín), and finally in Havana, the bishop explained. Prevost returned in 2008 to visit Cuban Augustinians in the Diocese of Holguín, particularly the parish in Puerto Padre.

Due to renovations at the parish house in Puerto Padre, Robert Francis Prevost was hosted by a local family for three days, according to Aranguren. “Today, the joy of Mr. Manuel Miguel, fondly known as Manolín, is boundless, as he proudly displays a simple diploma given to him by Father Prevost for his hospitality and support to the friars,” Aranguren shared.

From Puerto Padre, the then-prior of the Augustinians traveled to Holguín to meet with Aranguren and gain firsthand insight into the realities of eastern Cuba. “Without a doubt, the now Pope Leo XIV left a legacy of simplicity, closeness, and joy, witnessing how his brothers were spreading the love of God amidst a challenging environment,” he stated.

Pope Leo XIV's Ties with Cuba

Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, was selected as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church in early May. Notably, he is the first American Pope and also holds Peruvian citizenship, having spent many years in that country. Prior to his papal appointment, the former cardinal had established a direct connection with Cuba, visiting the country on multiple occasions.

Shortly after his election, a photo circulated on social media showing him in Havana with the late dissident Harold Cepero Escalante in front of Havana Cathedral, capturing a moment of Christian fraternity that now carries new significance. Cepero Escalante, a member of the Christian Liberation Movement, died at the age of 32 in Granma while traveling with Oswaldo Payá. Although the government labeled it an “accident,” family, friends, and a 2015 Human Rights Foundation report attribute the incident to deliberate action by the regime.

In response to the new Pope's election, Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel sent congratulatory messages, eager to project an image of harmony and continuity in relations with the Vatican.