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The Embassy of the United States in Cuba expressed its condolences this Saturday for the passing of Monsignor Silvano Herminio Pedroso Montalvo, Bishop of Guantánamo and Baracoa, describing the prelate as a shepherd who dedicated his life to the service of God and of the Cuban people.
"Monseñor Silvano dedicated his life to the service of God and ordinary Cubans. As a humble and approachable pastor, he was known for supporting those who suffered the most and for walking alongside his communities in times of hardship," stated the diplomatic mission in an official message published on their social media.
Monsignor Pedroso passed away early Saturday morning in Havana, at the age of 73, due to an oncological illness, as confirmed by the Cuban Conference of Catholic Bishops.
He was the first Afro-descendant bishop in the history of the Catholic Church in Cuba, appointed by Pope Francis on March 29, 2018, to lead the diocese of Guantánamo-Baracoa, one of the poorest and most remote in the country.
The illness was detected during his stay in Rome, where he traveled for the ad limina visit of the Cuban episcopate, despite the fact that the entire episcopate had postponed that trip due to the fuel crisis that was hindering international flights.
On February 20, he met with Pope Leo XIV, and days later he was hospitalized with symptoms that led to an oncological diagnosis, receiving care at the Gemelli Hospital and at the infirmary of the Society of Jesus in Rome.
He returned to Cuba on June 3rd and was placed under strict medical supervision in Havana. Last Thursday, the Conference of Bishops reported that his condition was "very delicate" and that visits were exhausting for him.
The Embassy also recalled a previous meeting with the bishop: in May 2025, then-mission chief Mike Hammer visited eastern Cuba and met with Monsignor Pedroso in Guantánamo, who spoke to him about the “challenging conditions” facing the region.
That background gave a personal and intimate tone to the condolence message, in which the diplomatic mission stated that the life of the prelate "reflected a deep love for Cuba and a steadfast commitment to ensuring that the Cuban people could live with dignity and hope."
Born on April 25, 1953 in Cárdenas, Matanzas, Pedroso Montalvo studied Geography at the University of Havana before entering the Major Seminary of San Carlos and San Ambrosio in 1987.
He was ordained as a priest on June 12, 1995, by Cardinal Jaime Lucas Ortega y Alamino at the Cathedral of Havana. His episcopal motto was "Love one another as I have loved you."
His funeral was held this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the parish of Santa Catalina de Siena in Vedado, with a subsequent burial at Colón Cemetery.
The Embassy concluded its message with the verse from 2 Timothy 4:7, which summarizes the prelate's journey: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
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