Mike Hammer and Monsignor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo, the bishop of Guantánamo-Baracoa, were seen together this Sunday at the Vatican.
"What a pleasure to meet the Bishop of Guantanamo, Monsignor Silvano Herminio Pedrosa, here in Rome following his audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican," Hammer shared on X, via the U.S. Embassy in Cuba's account.
Although the schedules of the prelate and the diplomat seem to have crossed paths coincidentally, in the context of potential discussions between Washington and Havana, the meeting might fuel speculation.
Hammer has been on an official visit to Rome since Thursday, while Monsignor Silvano Pedroso Montalvo met with the pontiff on Friday during the traditional ad limina visit. This occurred despite the rest of the Cuban episcopate canceling the trip due to the energy crisis in Cuba.
The Vatican's official agenda confirmed the Cuban prelate's presence in Rome, although no further details were provided by the press office about the unscheduled meeting. Pedroso is among the 17 bishops making up the Catholic hierarchy in Cuba, spread across 11 ecclesiastical jurisdictions.
Unexpected Trip Amid Crisis
The ad limina visit, which involves an audience with the Pope and the presentation of a report on each diocese's pastoral reality, was scheduled between February 16 and 20. Initially, it was suspended due to the severe situation on the island.
Days earlier, Vatican sources confirmed the trip's cancellation "because current conditions do not permit it," directly referring to the fuel shortages affecting even air operations. The Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba had warned about the worsening crisis, emphasizing the need to support the people amid numerous shortages.
"The shepherds have prayed and understood that this is a time to be with the flock: to pray, accompany, and serve," explained Father Ariel Suárez, the deputy secretary of the Cuban Episcopal Conference, in statements to EWTN News.
Diplomatic Tensions and Humanitarian Efforts
The fact that only one bishop managed to travel adds an unexpected twist to a context marked by scarcity. The prolonged economic crisis—characterized by GDP decline, rising inflation, and prolonged blackouts—has complicated travel within and outside the country, turning any departure into an ordeal.
This gesture holds special significance during a period of heightened diplomatic tensions. On February 1st, after the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV voiced his concern over the escalating situation between Cuba and the United States, calling for "sincere and effective dialogue" to prevent further suffering for the Cuban people. This plea followed Washington's increased economic pressure on the island through measures aimed at cutting off oil supplies.
Hammer, meanwhile, engaged in discussions with Vatican representatives and Latin American diplomats during his official visit to Rome, as part of President Donald Trump's administration's efforts to bolster international support for the freedom of the Cuban people.
The U.S. Embassy to the Holy See reported that Hammer met with Caritas Internationalis to coordinate direct humanitarian aid delivery to Cubans through the Catholic Church, a mechanism Washington has prioritized to bypass the regime's intermediaries.
The diplomat also attended a gathering organized by the U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Joe Donnelly Burch, with a group of Latin American ambassadors accredited to the Holy See.
On Sunday, Cuban regime's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez criticized Hammer's European trip, accusing him of lobbying to end Cuban medical missions in the continent.
Key Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What was the purpose of Mike Hammer's visit to the Vatican?
Mike Hammer visited the Vatican as part of an official trip to Rome to engage with Vatican representatives and Latin American diplomats, aiming to strengthen international support for Cuban freedom.
Why did the Cuban bishops cancel their ad limina visit?
The Cuban bishops canceled their ad limina visit due to the severe energy crisis on the island, which included fuel shortages impacting air travel and other operations.
How has the economic crisis in Cuba affected travel?
The economic crisis in Cuba, marked by GDP decline, rising inflation, and prolonged blackouts, has made travel within and outside the country challenging, turning any departure into a difficult task.