Cuban delegation felt goodbye to Pope Francis on behalf of his people (+photos) – Escambray

Salvador Valdés Mesa highlighted the Supreme Pontiff “he was a man who loved Cuba a lot, and always had a very special relationship with his people” that “made clear at all times”

A Cuban delegation, headed by the vice president, Salvador Valdés Mesa, on April 26, his last goodbye, on behalf of the people and government of that country, to Pope Francis, at the exequial mass held this morning at the Holy See.

The Cuban representation at that ceremony, held at 10:00 local time in the Plaza de San Pedro, was also integrated by Caridad Diego, head of the Office of Attention to Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of the Communist party, and by the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Elio Rodríguez.

Speaking to Prensa Latina, the vice president stressed that the Supreme Pontiff “was a man who loved Cuba a lot, and always maintained a very special relationship with his people” that “made clear at all times.”

Valdés Mesa referred to the importance of Pope Francis’s visit to the Caribbean nation, between September 19 and 22, 2015, in which he included, in addition to his pastoral work, an encounter with the commander in chief, Fidel Castro.

He emphasized that Francisco was always consistent with his ideas, with his principles, and among the many causes he defended, denounced the American government policy against Cuba multiple times.

In this regard, recalled the vice president, the Bishop of Rome contributed to the improvement of relations between his country and the United States, during the mandate of President Barack Obama.

In a message sent on January 14, 2023 to the people of Cuba, the Pontiff gave him “thanks for that example of collaboration and mutual help that unites them” and wished him that, with “the spirit that characterizes them, open, cozy and solidarity, continue walking together with hope” and “particularly in the midst of adversities.”

A few months earlier, on July 12, 2022, the Bishop of Rome said that “Cuba is a symbol, Cuba has a big story” and emphasized that “I love the Cuban people very much” in that interview where he also referred to his “human relationship” with the army general and former president of that country, Raúl Castro.

“Pope Francis leaves an important legacy to the new generations,” said Valdés Mesa, because “he made a relevant contribution with his struggle in favor of peace, against wars, the protection of the environment” and “he was always next to the dispossessed, of the poor, the children, the women, the elders.”

“That is why we have come in the name of the direction of the party, the government and the people of Cuba to say goodbye and thank who was a great friend, an indefatigable fighter in defense of the noblest causes, in favor of peace and fraternity among the peoples.

In the funeral mass of Pope Francis, chaired by the dean of the Cardinal College, Giovanni Battista Re, about 250 thousand people participated, including more than 180 delegations around the world.

At the end of it, it began the transfer of the coffin with the mortal remains of the Bishop of Rome to the Basilica of Santa María la Mayor, to receive burial in a simple grave that, as the only registration, has its name in Latin: Franciscus, according to the desire expressed by the Supreme Pontiff in his will.