Related videos:
The deep energy crisis that is suffocating Cuba has even reached the heart of the Catholic Church. Cuban bishops will not be able to travel to the Vatican for their traditional "ad limina" visit to Pope Leo XIV due to the fuel issues facing the island.
Vatican sources confirmed to the agency EFE that the trip, scheduled from February 16 to 20, was canceled “because the current conditions do not allow it,” referring to the lack of fuel that has disrupted air operations in the Caribbean country.
The visit included an audience with the Pope and was part of the canonical obligation for bishops to periodically go to Rome to pray at the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul and report on the situation of their dioceses.
The last time the Cuban bishops conducted this visit was in May 2017, almost nine years ago, as recalled by OSV Noticias in a report authored by Junno Arocho Esteves.
The suspension of the trip occurs amid a critical situation. This week, Cuba ran out of fuel for its planes following a rise in tensions with the United States. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 29 threatening to impose tariffs on any country that sells oil to the island, a measure that has increased uncertainty regarding the already fragile energy supply.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of Cuba (COCC) had expressed on January 31 its "profound concern" regarding the worsening economic and social situation.
"Cuba needs change, and the urgency is growing, but it does not need more anguish or pain," they stated in a message warning that the elimination of any possibility of oil imports raises alarms, especially for the most vulnerable.
Pope Leo XIV also publicly reacted. During the Angelus on February 1, he expressed his concern about the rising tensions between Cuba and the United States and called for "sincere and effective dialogue" to prevent further suffering for the Cuban people.
The fact that even the bishops cannot leave the country due to a lack of fuel reflects just how far the energy crisis has overwhelmed all areas of national life. As blackouts continue, shortages intensify, and the economy accumulates a decline of over 15% of GDP according to various estimates, the suspension of the episcopal trip becomes yet another symbol of the collapse.
Filed under: