José Alberto Escobar, delegate of the Order of Saint Augustine on the island, assured that the new Pope Leo XIV “holds the Cuban people very close to his heart” and is well aware of their reality.
The religious figure explained that Prevost visited Cuba in April 2008 and in February 2011 in an interview with the Catholic media ACI.
During his visit in 2008, the current Bishop of Rome, who served as the general prior of the Augustinians from 2001 to 2013, "spent a lot of time getting to know the communities in Chambas (Diocese of Ciego de Ávila) and in Puerto Padre (Diocese of Holguín)."
Three years later, in 2011, he focused "on presiding over the Assembly that we Augustinians hold annually, where we evaluate and plan the main aspects related to our community and personal life in Cuba."
During the visits, Prevost “shared with the people of our parishes their joys, concerns, fears, and sleepless nights,” and also “listened, visited, shared in their homes, and even stayed at their houses,” said Escobar.
Escobar stated that the now Holy Father "has lived out his mission since his youth and has always been very humble and genuine in his personal relationships with those he interacts with," and "has maintained an interest in understanding what the life of faith is like for the Church in Cuba and for his Augustinian brothers."
"He is a pastor who collaborates with our Good Shepherd, so this firsthand knowledge and this love are already present; it will be for the good of the Church and therefore also for Cuba. With so many faithful from the Church who know him, along with all our Augustinian brothers, his presence and ministry inspire immense joy and hope in Cuba. This is already a fact," he emphasized.
The return of the Augustinians to Cuba
Recently, another religious figure in Cuba, Monsignor Emilio Aranguren Echeverría, the current Bishop of Holguín, recalled the “imprint of simplicity” that was left by the visit in 2008 of the then General Prior of the Augustinians.
Aranguren Echeverría revealed that Prevost negotiated the return of the Augustinians to Cuba after they were expelled by Fidel Castro in 1961.
The current bishop of Holguín, accompanied by the late Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Archbishop of Havana, visited Prevost in Rome in 2005, where they requested the return of the Augustinians to Cuba.
The return of the order was finalized a year later, first in Ciego de Ávila, then in Puerto Padre (Holguín), and finally in Havana, the bishop explains.
Prevost then arrived in 2008 to visit the Cuban Augustinians in the diocese of Holguín, particularly at the parish of Puerto Padre.
Since the rectory adjacent to the Puerto Padre parish was under renovation, Robert Francis Prevost was taken in by a host family for the three days of his stay, Aranguren recounts.
"Today, the joy of Mr. Manuel Miguel (who welcomed him into his home), known to everyone as Manolín, is overflowing, and he shows everyone a simple diploma that Father Prevost gave him for his hospitality and for the support he provided to the friars of the community," he recounts.
From Puerto Padre, the then prior of the Augustinians moved to Holguín to meet with Aranguren and gain firsthand knowledge of the reality of eastern Cuba.
"Undoubtedly, today León XIV left a mark of simplicity, closeness, and joy in seeing how his brothers were evangelizing and serving the love of God amid such a needy reality," he said.
The Pope and Cuba
Robert Francis Prevost, 69 years old, was elected in early May as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. He is the first American Pope and also holds Peruvian citizenship, having lived in that country for years.
Former Cardinal Prevost has had a direct connection with Cuba, a country he visited several times before his appointment as Supreme Pontiff.
Shortly after his appointment, a photo of him surfaced on social media in Havana alongside the late dissident Harold Cepero Escalante in front of the Havana Cathedral, capturing a moment of Christian brotherhood that today takes on new significance.
Cepero Escalante, a member of the Christian Liberation Movement, died at the age of 32 in Granma while riding in a car with Oswaldo Payá. The event was classified as an "accident" by the government, but family members, friends, and a report by the Human Rights Foundation from 2015 attribute it to a deliberate action by the regime.
Precisely, following the election of the new Pope, Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel sent congratulatory messages, eager to present an image of harmony and continuity in relations with the Vatican.
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, born as Robert Francis Prevost, was elected as the 267th Pope of the Catholic Church. He has a direct connection to Cuba, having visited the island several times before his appointment as Supreme Pontiff. His relationship with Cuba was solidified through his visits as the General Prior of the Augustinians, where he met and engaged with local communities, as well as by his interest in the return of the Order of Saint Augustine to the island after its expulsion in 1961.
How did Pope Leo XIV contribute to the return of the Augustinians to Cuba?
Pope Leo XIV, then General Prior of the Augustinians, facilitated the return of the Augustinians to Cuba in 2008, after having been expelled by Fidel Castro's regime in 1961. This was made possible thanks to his meeting in 2005 with Monsignor Emilio Aranguren and Cardinal Jaime Ortega, who directly requested the order's return to the island.
What impact did the visit of Pope Leo XIV have on Cuban communities?
The visit of Pope Leo XIV left a mark of simplicity and closeness on Cuban communities. During his visits in 2008 and 2011, Prevost shared significant moments with local communities, staying in family homes and actively participating in parish activities. His presence was a source of joy and hope for the Cuban faithful, reinforcing the bond between the Church and the Cuban people.
How has the election of Pope Leo XIV been received in the Cuban political context?
The election of Pope Leo XIV has been met with congratulatory messages from Raúl Castro and Miguel Díaz-Canel. Both leaders expressed their interest in further strengthening relations with the Holy See amidst the political, economic, and social crisis facing Cuba. These diplomatic gestures aim to project an image of harmony and dialogue between the Cuban government and the Vatican.
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