The Cuban government highly values the international leadership that Pope Leo XIV currently maintains in the defense of peace, stated the nation’s ambassador to the Holy See.
The head of the Cuban diplomatic mission to the Vatican, Leyde Rodríguez, highlighted in a note published in the latest issue of the magazine Caritá Política, his country’s recognition of the pontiff’s efforts in favor of a peace that is “disarmed and disarming.”
Cuba also appreciates the Bishop of Rome’s denunciation of global problems, exacerbated by wars and violence, his calls for nuclear disarmament, justice, solidarity, environmental protection, and the fight against social exclusion, inequality, and poverty, always protecting the most vulnerable.
He also conveyed the gratitude of the Cuban government and people to the Holy See for its position in favor of lifting the unilateral sanctions and the intensified economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States.
This is a policy contrary to human dignity, which causes suffering to Cuban families and hinders essential projects for economic recovery and progress toward well-being and sustainable development, he emphasized.
In that publication, dedicated to the first year of Leo XIV’s pontificate, which compiles the messages of 93 ambassadors to the Holy Father, the diplomat highlighted that Cuba and the Vatican have maintained uninterrupted diplomatic relations since June 7, 1935.
Over time, a relationship has been forged between the two parties characterized by respect, mutual recognition, and ethical and responsible diplomacy, based on the will of both sides to continue developing the existing positive relations.
During the apostolic visits to Cuba made by John Paul II in January 1998; Benedict XVI, in March 2012, and Francis, in September 2015, “both the Cuban authorities and the Cuban people showed their gratitude and respect to the highest representatives of the Catholic Church,” he stated.
Likewise, he asserted, “the visits to the Vatican by President Fidel Castro Ruz, President Raúl Castro Ruz, and the current President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez have also been noteworthy.”
Rodríguez recalled the words of Leo XIV during the presentation of his credentials on December 20, when the Pope expressed his profound feelings of solidarity and closeness to “the beloved Cuban people.”
The ambassador reiterated the Cuban State’s invitation to the Holy Father to visit that Caribbean nation, “which will offer him sincere affection, warm and respectful hospitality, and attentive, thoughtful ears.”
Finally, he affirmed the “renewed commitment of the Cuban State to continue strengthening the respectful, ethical, and constructive dialogue” that characterizes the relationship between the Holy See and Cuba. and his country.
[ SOURCE: PRENSA LATINA ]
