Pope Francis — the first pontiff from Latin America — played a vital role in extending the olive branch between the US and Cuba, President Obama said Wednesday. “I want to thank Pope Francis, whose moral example shows us the importance of pursuing the world as it should be, rather than simply settling for the world as it is,” the president said during a Wednesday press conference. “His Holiness Pope Francis issued a personal appeal to me and to Cuban President Raul Castro urging us to resolve Alan’s case and to address Cuba’s interest in the release of three Cuban agents who have been jailed in the United States for over 15 years.” The groundbreaking announcement that the two countries were re-opening diplomatic relations followed more than a year of secret meetings between US and Cuban officials in Canada and the Vatican. Vatican officials sent their regards to the once-heated nations in a statement released Wednesday afternoon. “The Holy Father wishes to express his warm congratulations for the historic decision taken by the Governments of the United States of America and Cuba to establish diplomatic relations, with the aim of overcoming, in the interest of the citizens of both countries, the difficulties which have marked their recent history,” the warmhearted message read. “The Holy See will continue to assure its support for initiatives which both nations will undertake to strengthen their bilateral relations and promote the wellbeing of their respective citizens.” The Argentinian Pontiff reportedly helped smooth things over by hosting in-person conversations between the countries’ government officials — actively playing a part in the discussions. A meeting to finalize the embargo talks was recently held at the Vatican this past fall. The Holy Father then “personally issued an appeal” in the form of a letter to President Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro, according to The Hill. Francis had urged Cuba to “resolve” the case of Alan Gross and also pleaded with President Obama to release three Cubans convicted of spying on anti-Castro groups in Miami, a senior Obama administration official said. “We haven’t received communications from the Pope of this nature,” the official added. “That gave us greater impetus and momentum.” The landmark deal between the US and Cuba marks the first time the two nations communicated at the presidential level in over 50 years.
Posted on: Wed, 24 Dec 2014 21:11:24 +0000
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