Cautious on Politics, Pope Celebrates Mass in East Cuba
Jaime Hamre and Philip Pullella of Reuters report, “Pope Francis went to east Cuba on Monday to celebrate the second Mass of a trip that has earned him praise for aiding the Communist rulers’ rapprochement with Washington, but has so far steered clear of overt politics.” The communist government hopes that Francis will openly condemn the American economic embargo before the end of his visit, while critics want the pontiff to express his support for the dissidents of the one-party state. While Francis has preached a largely religious message, he has also urged the thawing of relations with the United States in his first two days in Cuba.