The newly elected Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, has had a direct connection with Cuba, a country he visited several times before his appointment as Supreme Pontiff.
Testimonies from the faithful, priests, and local media have confirmed their presence in various regions of the Island, both as a religious leader of the Order of Saint Augustine and in their episcopal role in recent years.
Eating white rice and picadillo with a Cuban family
As General Prior of the Augustinians, he traveled to the Island twice: in 2008 and 2011.
During his first stay, he visited the municipality of Chambas, in Ciego de Ávila, where he left a trail of affection and fond memories among those who knew him.
One of them is nurse Reiniel Jiménez Gil, who shared on Facebook photos of Prevost sitting at the table of a humble Cuban family, sharing their meal as one of them.
"We had the pleasure of meeting you in Chambas, in April 2008," wrote Reiniel, who recounted that the American priest ate twice in Cuban homes: at Dalia Buchillon's and at Celerina Darias's, fondly known in the Chambas parish as Celita.
"There you can see the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, and the priests Paulos Santos Gonzálves, Quirilio Matos Batista, and Father Javier," he detailed.
"Here it is, simply eating picadillo with rice," commented a post from the Cuban Catholic Youth Network.
The Pope, his visit to Holguín, and the return of the Augustinians to Cuba
In the same year, 2008, Prevost visited Holguín. This was confirmed by Monsignor Emilio Aranguren, the bishop of that city, in a statement from the Communications Office of his diocese.
Father Aranguren revealed an aspect of the current Pope that was previously unknown: his contribution to the return of the Augustinians to Cuba, who were expelled by the communist government in 1961.
They had met in 2006 in Rome, at the General Curia of the Augustinian Fathers.
"As a result of this meeting, a relationship was established that facilitated the return of the friars of the Order of Saint Augustine (OSA) to Cuba after an absence of more than 40 years. Gradually, they became present in Chambas (Diocese of Ciego de Ávila) and Puerto Padre (Diocese of Holguín), and later in Old Havana," recounts the post.
According to Aranguren, Prevost visited the Diocese of Holguín with the friars who were currently serving at the parish of San José de Puerto Padre in Granma: Fr. Miguel Ángel Keller and Fr. Jorge Luis Villarreal.
Visit to Las Tunas
The Pope also visited Las Tunas on two occasions, as confirmed by Periódico 26, which supported the information with "documents provided by witnesses of his stay here."
Prevost visited the city of Puerto Padre in April 2008 and in February 2011.
On that last occasion, he stayed at the home of a gentleman named Manuel Miguel, who now proudly possesses a letter of thanks signed by the current Pope Leo XIV.
Trip to Havana
According to information from Periódico 26, the Holy Father returned to Cuba in November 2019, already serving as bishop and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, as part of a pastoral visit.
He also participated in the closing of the Jubilee Year celebrating the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Diocese of San Cristóbal de La Habana, according to the tunero weekly.
He celebrated masses and meetings with the faithful in Havana, and met with Cuban bishops to discuss pastoral challenges. He also visited the San Carlos and San Ambrosio Seminary, he clarified.
Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, has been elected as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. A member of the Order of Saint Augustine, he is the first American Pope and also holds Peruvian citizenship, having lived in that country for several years.
After their election, Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel sent congratulatory messages, eager to present an image of harmony and continuity in their relations with the Vatican.
"Your Holiness: I extend my warmest congratulations on your election as Supreme Pontiff. I trust that your Papacy will make an essential contribution towards peace and dialogue. Cuba will continue to strengthen its positive relations with the Holy See," expressed Raúl Castro in a note.
For his part, Díaz-Canel wrote on his account on X: "We share the desire to promote dialogue and peace. We will continue to work towards strengthening the relations between Cuba and the Holy See, which this year marks its 90th anniversary."
Cuba and the Holy See: a relationship defined by historic visits
The election of León XIV marks a new chapter in the relationship between the Vatican and Cuba, which has been characterized by significant moments since the late 20th century, including visits to the island by the last three popes: John Paul II in 1998, Benedict XVI in 2012, and Francis in 2015.
The messages from Cuban authorities to León XIV come amid a deep political, economic, and social crisis on the Island, with increasing reports of human rights violations and repression.
Frequently Asked Questions about Pope Leo XIV and His Relationship with Cuba
Who is Pope Leo XIV and what is his connection to Cuba?
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, is the new Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. Before his election, he visited Cuba several times, demonstrating a keen interest in the island's Catholic community. His visits, both as a religious leader of the Order of St. Augustine and in his episcopal role, included meetings with the faithful and clergy in various regions such as Chambas, Holguín, and Las Tunas.
What do the congratulations from Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel to Pope Leo XIV mean?
The congratulations from Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel to Pope Leo XIV reflect an interest in maintaining positive diplomatic relations between Cuba and the Holy See. Both leaders expressed their desire to promote dialogue and peace, highlighting the importance of strengthening ties with the Vatican, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. This gesture occurs in the context of a political, economic, and social crisis in Cuba, which could be interpreted as an attempt to project stability and continuity in international relations.
What has been the historical relationship between the Vatican and Cuba?
The relationship between the Vatican and Cuba has been marked by significant moments since the late 20th century. Several Popes have visited the island, starting with John Paul II in 1998, followed by Benedict XVI in 2012 and Francis in 2015. These visits have helped improve diplomatic relations and have been key moments for the Catholic Church in Cuba, highlighting the importance of faith in a context of political and social challenges.
What impact could Pope Leo XIV have on the Spanish-speaking Catholic community?
Pope Leo XIV has made a significant gesture towards the Spanish-speaking Catholic community by including a message in Spanish during his first public appearance as Supreme Pontiff. This act was well received by Spanish-speaking faithful, highlighting his closeness and acknowledgment of this community, one of the largest and most dynamic within the Church. This approach could strengthen the role of the Church in Spanish-speaking countries, promoting dialogue and social engagement.
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