A Mass in honor of Pope Francis took place this Thursday at Havana Cathedral, with the presence of the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
The ceremony was marked by gratitude for the words of affection addressed Cuba over the years and recognition of the Supreme Pontiff’s legacy.
Upon entering the Cathedral, Antoine Camilleri, Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba, greeted the president in a gesture of gratitude for his presence at the Mass, which was also attended by officials from the Party, the State, and the Cuban government.
With songs, prayers, and words of remembrance of the Pope’s life and work, hundreds of Catholic faithful, representatives of Orthodox churches and other Christian denominations, as well as the people present, reaffirmed the reciprocity of the affection and closeness that Francis always professed for Cuba.
In the homily of the liturgical celebration, the Apostolic Nuncio recalled the Pope’s life of dedication and service to the Christian faith, the Church, and all humanity, and offered prayers for his soul, now committed to eternal rest.
He noted that Francis lived up to his title of pontiff, that is, bridge-builder, in every sense of the word, since in his role he managed to be not only the Holy Father of Catholics, but also for all without distinction, paying special attention to those who feel they don’t fit in anywhere.
“Thank you for your life, teachings, testimonies, and the special affection you felt for Cuba,” he concluded.
The Mass in honor of the Pope is a demonstration of the Cuban Church’s communion with the sentiments of global Catholicism, following the death of the highest representative of the Catholic Church on April 21.
Francis, whose secular name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was the first Jesuit pope and the first from the Southern Hemisphere. He was also the first pontiff originally from the Americas and the first non-European since Gregory III, a Syrian, who died in 741.
