Francisco met this morning with Díaz-Canel in the Vatican: they discussed the situation on the island, diplomatic relations with the Holy See and supposedly the peace mission in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Tomorrow he receives the first president of Brazil, Ignacio Lula Da Silva.
He received him welcoming him standing up, leaning on the orthopedic cane, smiling, in a small room in the Paul VI Hall, more accessible from Santa Marta than the study in the Apostolic Palace.
“Happy” to see it in good condition
In the meeting in which only Spanish was spoken, the head of state of the Caribbean island thanked Francisco several times for his availability, telling him that he was “happy” to see him in good health after his recent operation. On his part, Bergoglio initially speaking about his health, said he was “halfway” due to the “stitches” still present from the surgery on his abdomen, before the conversation moved on to diplomatic issues.
A 40 minute meeting
They talked about various topics for 40 minutes based on diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cuba, also evoking the historic visit of Saint John Paul II in 1998, twenty-five years ago.
The talk between the two also made reference to the serious situation in the country and the contribution offered by the Church, especially in the sectors of charity. Finally, international issues were considered “of mutual interest, highlighting the importance of continuing with the commitment to always promote the common good.”
Beyond the press release, the Vatican did not go into details but, considering the particularly serious international situation, it is not ruled out that they have talked about the Holy See’s peace mission in search of a channel of dialogue to stop the war between Russia and Ukraine, and the need to advance diplomatic proposals after the failure of the recent mission of the African countries headed by the president of South Africa.
Gifts
Díaz-Canel, who seemed very comfortable with Bergoglio, was accompanied by his wife Lis Cuesta Peraza and their son.
As part of the exchange of gifts, Francis gave him a bronze work of art representing a dove carrying an olive branch, with the inscription “Be messengers of peace,” as well as this year’s Message of Peace, the document on Human Fraternity and the book on Statio Orbis of March 27, 2020.
For his part, Díaz-Canel presented the Pope with a sculpture in silver, bronze and wood entitled “El Lector” and two volumes of Cuban poets.
Protests outside the Vatican
VATICAN Diaz-Canel.jpg
While the Cuban president was busy with the Pope, outside the Vatican, near Castel Sant’Angelo, a group of Cuban exiles protested the humanitarian situation on the island. Wrapped in the Cuban flag and to the rhythm of Caribbean music, Díaz-Canel’s opponents shouted slogans against politics, forced exile and even the legitimization of the Díaz-Canel government by the Vatican.
He is the third Cuban leader to go to the Vatican since the Cuban Revolution in 1959: Fidel Castro and his brother Raúl were received in 1996 by John Paul II and in 2015 when Francis visited the island of Cuba.
Source: Ambito
