Pope
to visit Cuba in September
(Vatican Radio) The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father
Federico Lombardi, SJ, has confirmed that Pope Francis will visit Cuba ahead of
his visit to the United States in September 2015.
In a statement
released Wednesday afternoon, Father Lombardi said, "I am able to confirm
that the Holy Father Francis, having received and accepted the invitation from
the civil authorities and bishops of Cuba, has decided to pay a visit to the
island before his arrival in the United States for the trip announced some time
ago."
The visit to Cuba is
especially significant in light of the role played by Pope Francis in
diplomatic negotiations between the United States and Cuba. Leaders from both
nations have publicly thanked Pope Francis for his aid in negotiations.
Pope Francis will be
the third Pope to visit Cuba. In 1998, Saint John Paul II made the first papal
visit to the island nation, meeting Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Later, in 2012,
Benedict XVI also visited Cuba.
Pope Francis’ visit to
Cuba will precede his journey to Philadelphia in the United States for the
World Meeting of Families. During his Apostolic Voyage, the Holy Father will
also visit Washington, D.C. and New York City.
No other details of
the Holy Father's planned visit to Cuba have been released.
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