Preparatory meetings for Pope Francis' visit to Cuba conclude in Havana

Delegations from the Holy See and Cuba ended, this Wednesday afternoon, the first preparatory meetings for the upcoming visit to Cuba by Pope Francis, next September 19-22.

The Cuban delegation was presided over by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, and composed by Caridad Diego Bello, head of the Office of Religious Affairs at the Central Committee of Cuban Communist Party, among other officials.

Dr. Alberto Gasbarri, head for the Organization of the Papal Trips, traveled to Havana heading the Holy See delegation to these conversations which were also attended by a representation from the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, headed by Monsignor Dionisio Garcia Ibañez, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba. Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, also attended.

During his apostolic visit, the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church is expected to visit the provinces of Havana, Holguin and Santiago de Cuba.

The announced visit by Pope Francis will be caried out within the celebration, this year, of the 80th anniversary of the uninterrupted diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Holy See.

These conversations, which were cordial and productive, reflected the good communication between the Holy See, the Catholic Church and the Cuban State, as well as the common interest to guarantee the success of the Pope’s visit.