Santiago de Cuba Archbishop thanked the Pope for his pilgrimage

HAVANA, Cuba, Sep 22 (acn) Monsignor Dionisio García, Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba city, thanked Pope Francis for his pilgrimage to Eastern Cuba, presiding over the Eucharist and praying in front of the image of the Virgin of Charity, Cuban Patroness, at her Shrine.

The Archbishop thanked the Pope for his presence in Santiago de Cuba on behalf of the Cuban Catholic Church and all Cubans that worship the Virgin.
Before the end of the last Mass officiated by His Holiness in Cuba, Monsignor Garcia said that pilgrimage gives continuity to one of the oldest Cuban traditions that, ¨grows, is recreated and updated through the years amidst changing social circumstances that Cuba has lived throughout history¨
A representation of all Cuban dioceses arrived to the Shrine where the Pope inaugurated the Jubilee Year to mark the centennial of the proclamation of the Virgin of the Charity as Cuban Patroness by Pope Benedict XV, as per request of Cuban veterans of the Independence War.
His Holiness, visibly moved, blessed the inhabitants of El Cobre town, where the Shrine is located, before traveling to Santiago de Cuba city