The Cuban government decreed official mourning this Friday, until 12 midnight, on the occasion of the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
Throughout the day, the flags of public and military institutions will remain raised at half-mast, in accordance with the decree signed by Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and published by theOfficial Gazette of the Republic.
"Our people had the opportunity to welcome Benedict XVI with feelings of respect and affection during his pastoral visit to Cuba in 2012," the presidential decree recalled.
Although the document indicates that during that visit, the supreme pontiff of the Catholic Church to Cuba condemned the US embargo, it did not mention that his holiness also asked for "authentic freedom" for Cubans, all this in front of thousands of people who gathered at the Plaza de la Revolución, Havana.
Joseph Aloisius Ratzinger was the the 265° Catholic pope, until he resigned from the position by his own decision, a measure unprecedented in history and that changed the way that institution is seen.
His death last week,after spending several days in serious condition, moved people around the world, because they saw it as an example of simplicity and modesty.
During the last years, Benedict XVI was seen in public very rarely, and remained all the time in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery, in the Vatican, where he had his residence until the end of his life.
The Vatican did not declare an official mourning, news that has not gone unnoticed by the international media, which echoed thefuneral presided over by Pope Francis, an unusual event because it is the first time in history that one supreme pontiff buries another.
After the death of the religious was announced, the Cuban government, through its president Miguel Díaz-Canel, issued a statement in which they regretted the news and conveyed condolences on behalf of the people.
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