Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuba's Foreign Minister, expressed his gratitude toward His Holiness Leo XIV after being received in a private audience at the Vatican as the Special Envoy of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel.
"I deeply appreciate the honor of being received by His Holiness Leo XIV," Rodríguez stated on Saturday via his official X account, where he posted two photographs alongside the Pope.
Unexpected Encounters at the Vatican Amid Strained Relations
The visit comes shortly after Mike Hammer, the head of the U.S. diplomatic mission in Cuba, found himself in Rome at the same time as Monsignor Silvano Herminio Pedroso Montalvo, the bishop of Guantánamo-Baracoa, following an audience with Pope Leo XIV.
Although their schedules seemed to align coincidentally, the overlapping visits have sparked speculation about possible discussions between Washington and Havana facilitated by the Vatican.
Hammer was officially visiting Italy last week when the Cuban bishop attended an ad limina meeting with the Pope. This took place despite the rest of the Cuban episcopate canceling their travel plans due to the ongoing energy crisis plaguing the island.
Pope's Urgent Call for Dialogue
On February 1st, Leo XIV voiced his "deep concern" regarding the escalating tensions between Cuba and the United States. Following the Angelus prayer, he urged a "sincere and effective" dialogue to prevent violence and relieve the suffering of the Cuban people.
The Pope's message, also shared by the Vatican on X, included a call upon the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre. This appeal comes amid intensified sanctions against the Cuban regime and a severe economic crisis on the island, highlighted by power outages, inflation, and increasing migration.
Frequently Asked Questions on U.S.-Cuba Relations
What was the purpose of Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla's visit to the Vatican?
Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla visited the Vatican as the Special Envoy of Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel to express gratitude and possibly engage in discussions amid tensions between Cuba and the United States.
Why did the overlapping visits in Rome spark speculation?
The coincidental timing of the visits by U.S. diplomat Mike Hammer and Cuban bishop Monsignor Silvano Herminio Pedroso Montalvo led to speculations about potential discussions facilitated by the Vatican between the U.S. and Cuba.