Pope Francis spoke out through an official statement from the Holy See to welcome the decision of the governments of the US and Cuba to reestablish diplomatic relations.
The Secretariat of State of the Holy See emphasized its role to promote closer relations and announced that the Vatican is willing to continue supporting the new phase of links between the two parties.
OnCuba now fully reproduces the statement issued on Wednesday December17, 2014 by the Secretariat of State of the Vatican:
The Holy Father is highly pleased by the historic decision of the Governments of the United States and Cuba to establish diplomatic relations, in order to overcome, in the interest of their respective citizens, the difficulties that have marked their recent history.
During recent months, the Holy Father Francis has written to the President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Raul Castro, and the President of the United States, His Excellency Mr. Barack H. Obama, inviting them to solve humanitarian issues of common interest such as the situation of some detainees, to begin a new phase in relations between the two parties.
The Holy See, which last October hosted at the Vatican the delegations of the two countries, has sought to offer its good offices to promote constructive dialogue on sensitive issues from which mutually satisfactory solutions have arisen.
The Holy See will continue to support the initiatives undertaken by both nations to enhance their bilateral relations and promoting the welfare of their citizens.
Vatican, December 17, 2014.
