HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 19 (acn) Pope Francis praised the thaw in the relations between Cuba and the United States during his opening remarks after arriving this afternoon in Havana for a four-day visit to Cuba.
The Holy Father said the path of normalization of relations the two countries have taken is an example of reconciliation for the world that fills everybody with hope.
He added this process, in which the Vatican played a key role as acknowledged by both Raul Castro and Barack Obama, will require resolving problems and correcting injustices.
Francis also recalled the visits from his predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI, in 1998 and 2012, respectively, and said that ¨the memory of those visits awakens gratitude and affection in the people and leaders of Cuba¨
He said his trip renews the bonds of cooperation and friendship with the Cuban government and people, so the Church ¨can continue to support and encourage the Cuban people in its hopes and concerns, with the freedom, the means and the space needed to bring the proclamation of the Kingdom to the existential peripheries of society."
The Pope was received at the Havana airport by Cuban President Raul Castro, and after a welcoming ceremony and speeches of both leaders, traveled through streets filled with tens of thousands of Cubans, believers and non-believers that wanted to see him.
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