Yesterday, the Havana Cathedral became the venue for a thanksgiving mass marking the first year of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate. The ceremony drew numerous faithful and included two members of the Political Bureau of the Cuban Communist Party, as reported by Canal Caribe.
The event coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's meeting with the Pope at the Vatican. During their 45-minute private audience, discussions covered topics including Cuba and Venezuela.
The mass was led by the Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba, Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, alongside the Archbishop of Havana, Juan de la Caridad García, and Archbishop Arturo González Amador, president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba.
Notable attendees included Vice President Salvador Valdés Mesa and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, both members of the Political Bureau, as well as Caridad Diego Bello, head of the Office for Religious Affairs of the PCC Central Committee.
In his homily, Archbishop Camilleri described the Pope as having a distinctly pastoral style, characterized by closeness, simplicity, and direct communication.
The nuncio also highlighted the 90 years of unbroken diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Holy See, emphasizing them as a continuous channel for dialogue, respect, and cooperation in service of the common good.
The ceremony concluded with the national anthems of Cuba and the Holy See, accompanied by prayers for Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, the Universal Church, and the Cuban Church, asking God to bless the nation with peace, unity, and a hopeful future.
The diplomatic context surrounding the celebration is complex. In February, Foreign Minister Rodríguez Parrilla visited the Vatican as a special envoy of Díaz-Canel to meet with Pope Leo XIV amid heightened tensions due to an executive order from Trump aimed at blocking fuel supplies to Cuba.
During his recent visit, Rubio proposed expanding humanitarian aid to Cuba through the Catholic Church, reaffirming the Vatican's historical role as a mediator between Washington and Havana.
Rubio's visit also sought to ease tensions between the Trump administration and the Holy See, following Trump's harsh public criticisms of the Pope in April, where he labeled him "weak" and "terrible in foreign policy."
Leo XIV, the first American pope in history, also has personal ties to Cuba: his maternal ancestors were born in Havana in the 18th century, and as Prior General of the Augustinians, he visited the island in 2008, 2011, and 2019, even facilitating the order's return after its expulsion in 1961.
On his anniversary, the Pope celebrated by visiting the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Pompeii in southern Italy, while Radio Reloj quoted a Vatican source summarizing the prevailing sentiment: "Cuba holds a place in Pope Leo XIV's heart."
Insight into Pope Leo XIV's Relationship with Cuba
What was the purpose of Marco Rubio's visit to the Vatican?
Marco Rubio's visit aimed to discuss important topics like Cuba and Venezuela with the Pope, propose expanding humanitarian aid to Cuba, and alleviate tensions between the Trump administration and the Holy See.
Why is Pope Leo XIV significant to Cuba?
Pope Leo XIV is significant to Cuba due to his personal ties through his maternal ancestors and his past visits facilitating the return of the Augustinian order to the island, indicating his vested interest in the country.
How long have diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Holy See existed?
Cuba and the Holy See have maintained unbroken diplomatic relations for 90 years, characterized by continuous dialogue, respect, and cooperation.