Invitation Extended to Pope by Cuban President
President Miguel Díaz-Canel, currently in Cuba, reached out to Pope Leo XIV on Thursday during an official meeting with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with international organizations.
This week, Archbishop Gallagher is in Cuba to mark the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Vatican. The Cuban government, under the long-standing communist Castro regime, has had a complicated history with religious practices, often restricting the rights of Catholics and other Christian denominations. Persecution has been notably severe against those who oppose the regime or its ideological stance.
The Castro regime, which came to power in 1959, has historically restricted the construction of new Catholic churches, allowing none since 2015. In the early days of Fidel Castro’s rule, Cuba was declared an atheist state, a label that wasn’t lifted until 1992.
Recently, the government prevented Christian Cubans in Havana from marking Palm Sunday, a significant event in Catholicism, which led to restrictions on several Holy Week celebrations in 2024.
Despite decades of religious suppression, Díaz-Canel insisted during his meeting with Archbishop Gallagher that religious freedom is “respected and fulfilled” in the country. He noted that the relationship between Cuba and the Vatican is based on mutual respect, open political dialogue, and a willingness to overcome challenges.
“We express our commitment to continue strengthening this constructive dialogue,” Díaz-Canel said. He asserted the importance of religious freedom as outlined in Cuba’s Constitution and emphasized his administration’s achievements in nurturing respect among various faiths.
Díaz-Canel also shared his perspectives with Vatican representatives regarding U.S. policy and its impact on religion in Cuba, expressing gratitude for the Vatican’s support of the Cuban people amid these challenges.
Moreover, he formally invited Pope Leo XIV to visit Cuba, stating that they would be honored to host him and that he would receive the respect he deserves as a leader of the Catholic Church on a global scale.
Pope Francis, Díaz-Canel’s predecessor, visited Cuba in 2015, during which significant events unfolded, including an incident where a Cuban activist was forcibly silenced while trying to speak to the Pope.
Archbishop Gallagher recalled Pope Francis’s visit, highlighting the affection the late Pope expressed for Cuba and its people. He mentioned that the 90-year anniversary of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the Vatican is a historical milestone for the Catholic Church.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez reiterated the strong bond between Cuba and the Vatican. He expressed a commitment to continue effective and respectful dialogue that has characterized their relationship.
During his visit, Archbishop Gallagher led a Mass at Havana Cathedral commemorating the diplomatic relationship, emphasizing peace, justice, and truth as central principles in both the Church’s mission and its diplomatic efforts.
Gallagher referenced Pope Francis’s vision for Cuba to embrace a path of justice, freedom, and reconciliation. The Mass concluded with gratitude for Pope Leo XIV and messages of goodwill directed towards the Cuban people.
