Pope Francis Meets Fidel Castro After Mass in Cuba
- 9 years ago
Pope Francis met with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Cuba today after this morning's Mass, Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi said.
The pope then went to back to the Nunciature, and then with a small group, he went to Fidel Castro's home for another meeting.
Castro’s wife was also there with his children and grandchildren.
They were together for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Francis gave Castro several books, a book and two CDs of homilies and a copy of his two encyclicals.
In return, Castro gave Francis an interview book entitled, "Fidel and Religion," written in 1985 by Freitas Betto.
Fidel wrote a dedication in it: "For Pope Francis, on occasion of his visit to Cuba, with the admiration and respect of the Cuban people."
The atmosphere was "familiar and informal," Father Lombardi said, and the conversation centered around "protecting the environment and the great problems of the contemporary world."
Francis began a busy day in Cuba by holding Mass this morning in Havana's Revolution Square.
The pope then went to back to the Nunciature, and then with a small group, he went to Fidel Castro's home for another meeting.
Castro’s wife was also there with his children and grandchildren.
They were together for about 30 to 40 minutes.
Francis gave Castro several books, a book and two CDs of homilies and a copy of his two encyclicals.
In return, Castro gave Francis an interview book entitled, "Fidel and Religion," written in 1985 by Freitas Betto.
Fidel wrote a dedication in it: "For Pope Francis, on occasion of his visit to Cuba, with the admiration and respect of the Cuban people."
The atmosphere was "familiar and informal," Father Lombardi said, and the conversation centered around "protecting the environment and the great problems of the contemporary world."
Francis began a busy day in Cuba by holding Mass this morning in Havana's Revolution Square.