The ruler Miguel Díaz-Canel will not attend the funeral of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday, April 21, but instead, the Vice President of Cuba, Salvador Valdés Mesa, will go in his place.
Valdés Mesa traveled to Rome on Friday morning, leading a delegation from the Island that will attend the funeral of the Pontiff, who passed away at the age of 88.
The regime official wrote on social media X: "We are now in the city of Rome, as part of the Cuban delegation that I am leading to honor Francisco, whom the Cuban people will never forget."
"Let us honor the life of Jorge Bergoglio and the Pontificate of Francis, cherished by our people for his expressions of affection", he wrote in his message.
So far, the Cuban ruler has not specified the reason why he will not attend the funeral rites of the Pontiff.
According to CNN, a total of 130 delegations, including more than 60 heads of state and 15 reigning monarchs, will attend the pope's funeral this Saturday.
Among the leaders who have confirmed their attendance are the President of Argentina, Javier Milei; the President of the United States, Donald Trump; the President of France, Emmanuel Macron; the President of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva; and the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa.
This Thursday, Miguel Díaz-Canel attended the Thanksgiving Mass for the pontificate of Francisco, held at the Cathedral of Havana.
Upon his arrival at the temple, Díaz-Canel was welcomed by the Apostolic Nuncio in Cuba, Monsignor Antoine Camilleri.
During the homily, Monsignor Camilleri emotionally recalled the figure of Francis as a shepherd for all without distinction, highlighting his concern for the most vulnerable and his constant call for peace in conflict zones.
On Tuesday, the ruler declared an official mourning period across Cuba, from 6:00 AM until midnight on the 24th, with the flags of public buildings and military institutions flown at half-mast.
The official statement highlighted Pope Francis's contribution to the "strengthening of relations" between Havana and the Holy See, as well as his mediation in the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States during the "thaw" that began in 2014.
The Army General Raúl Castro, a key figure in that process, shared a personal message regarding the death of the Pontiff, whom he referred to as "dear friend." "His passing deeply moves me. Just as he once told me, I will carry him forever in my heart."
Frequently Asked Questions About Díaz-Canel's Absence at Pope Francis's Funeral
Why didn't Miguel Díaz-Canel attend Pope Francis's funeral?
The specific reason why Díaz-Canel did not attend the funeral of Pope Francis has not been specified. Instead, the Vice President of Cuba, Salvador Valdés Mesa, led the Cuban delegation in Rome for the event. Díaz-Canel's absence is significant, given the close relationship he had with the Pope and the importance of the event, which was attended by numerous world leaders.
What measures did the Cuban government take following the death of Pope Francis?
The Cuban government declared an official mourning period across the island. Flags were flown at half-mast as a sign of respect, and a Thanksgiving Mass was held at the Cathedral of Havana, which was attended by Díaz-Canel. Additionally, both Díaz-Canel and Raúl Castro issued condolence messages emphasizing their friendly relationship with the Pope.
How did Pope Francis influence the relations between Cuba and the United States?
Pope Francis played a key mediating role in the restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States in 2014. This process, known as the "thaw," was a significant advancement in bilateral relations, which involved the participation of the Pope and was valued by both the Cuban government and the U.S. government at that time.
What legacy did Pope Francis leave in Cuba?
Pope Francis is remembered in Cuba for his gestures of affection and closeness towards the Cuban people. During his papacy, he made visits to the island that strengthened the relationships between the Holy See and the Cuban government. However, his lack of open statements regarding the repression in Cuba was criticized by some sectors of the exile community and dissent.
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