It’s been ten years since Pope John Paul II visited Cuba. Many Catholics were outraged: why would he do that? Of course, the reason was simple: has was looking out for the spiritual welfare of Cuba’s faithful, and his presence gave them their much needed spiritual nourishment. A statue of John Paul II has now been made to commemorate the event.
What is interesting is that there is talk that Pope Benedict might find his way to Cuba. While he was invited to the country by Fidel Castro in 2005, Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega has also asked for the presence of the Pope on their small island nation. Now that Castro has retired from office, it is probably more important than ever that the Pope takes up that invitation; it would help give hope to the Cuban people as they try to find their way beyond Castro’s long reign.
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