In Rome, Cuban cardinal hails U.S.-Cuba thaw
The ambassadors of Cuba and the United States to the Holy See attended a Mass in Rome on Sunday (Feb. 8) officiated by Cardinal Jaime Ortega at which the Cuban prelate hailed the budding dialogue between the two nations.
The two diplomats — Rodney Alejandro López Clemente and Kenneth F. Hackett — sat on the first row, with other foreign envoys and Italian dignitaries. The Mass was held at the St. John Lateran Basilica to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the Community of Saint Egidio.
“Allow us on this day to thank the Lord for what happened recently in Cuba,” Ortega said in his homily.
“As you know, in December, through the extraordinary initiative of Pope Francis, the miracle of a thaw occurred, the end of an era that seemed to never end. The wall of mistrust that divided the United States and Cuba seemed indestructible. The story seemed to be at an end. But nothing is impossible with God if we do not resign ourselves to him.
“Over the years we have not lost hope. History is full of surprises. I also say this to comfort us when we are overcome by pessimism. And today the world is living true international crises. May this sign of a thaw in Cuba infect the whole world, because it affirms the [value of] dialogue in places where there is combat. Today we pray for countries suffering from the war in Ukraine, Syria and Iraq.
“Patience in weaving a dialogue and perseverance in prayer have brought us the blessed fruit of a new era for Cuba and the United States: a time of encounter and dialogue,” Ortega said. “Dialogue is the bearer of goodness for everyone. My heart is filled with great hope for the future of the Cuban people and am happy to share this joy with you this evening.”
The Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, described Ortega’s homily as “an important testimony of the role played by the [Catholic] Church in the rapprochement between Cuba and the United States.”
[On top is photo of Cardinal Ortega at the Basilica on Sunday receiving children in Rome.]
