Pope Francis called for greater freedom and respect for human dignity in the country, but he also continually added his hope that the Cuban people would love their country.
International News
Pope Calls for ‘Revolution of Tenderness’ in Cuba
Celebrating Mass early on Tuesday, just a few hours before he was scheduled to fly to Washington, Pope Francis told Cubans, “Our revolution comes about through tenderness.”
Pope to Cubans: Serve People, Not Ideology
As Cubans finally face the prospects of calmer relationships and greater ease of communication and commerce with the U.S., Pope Francis, speaking in Havana’s Revolution Square, Sept. 20, told the Cuban people that love and service, not anyone’s ideology, are the keys to their happiness.
Pope Arrives In Cuba Calling For Freedom, Better US-Cuba Relations
Pope Francis began his visit to Cuba praying for greater freedom for the island’s people and calling on U.S. and Cuban politicians to continue moving toward fully normal and neighborly relations.
For Pilgrims to Rome, Castel Gandolfo Is a Train Ride Away
Pope Francis has been giving real orders to Vatican staff to lift the locks on places and spaces that were long closed to the general public – the latest being the papal summer home in the hilltop town of Castel Gandolfo.
Pope Francis Appoints 18 Couples to Synod
More than 360 participants, including 18 married couples from around the world, were expected to attend October’s Synod of Bishops on the family. The complete list of synod participants and papal appointees was released Sept. 15 by the Vatican.
Pope Goes to Cuba as ‘Missionary of Mercy’
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (CNS) – Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba is a sign of his closeness to the nation’s people as they “breathe the air of hope” that relations with the U.S. will improve, said Bishop Wilfredo Pino Estevez of Guantanamo-Baracoa.
Pope Explains He Also Needs to Go to Confession
A pope needs friends, needs mercy and needs to reach out to all people, Pope Francis said in two radio interviews. He told Portugal’s Catholic Radio that he goes to confession “every 15 days, 20 days.”
Pope Says Confessors Must Be Men of Mercy
To be a true Christian means being forgiving, kind, humble, gentle, generous, merciful and very patient, Pope Francis said in a morning homily. Priests must be especially merciful, he added, saying if that they weren’t, they should “never walk into a confessional, I beg you.”
Vatican Sidesteps Flag Flap at United Nations
The Vatican said seeing the flags of the Holy See and Palestine flying with the banners of the 193 full member-countries of the UN is not its desire.