AMERICA/CUBA - "New horizons of hope brighten the lives of the Cuban people", says the Bishops' Conference

Havana (Agenzia Fides) - "We thank the Lord because new horizons of hope brighten the lives of the Cuban people, because good relations without tensions between peoples, who are so close, are the foundation of a promising future". This is what the Bishops' Conference of Cuba (COCC) says in a statement sent to Agenzia Fides and is signed by the General Secretariat of the COCC, written after the announcement of the resumption of diplomatic relations between the US and Cuba.
"We express special gratitude to Pope Francis. We hope that the will expressed by the Presidents contributes to the material and spiritual welfare of our people. We greatly appreciate the return of the three Cubans released, as well as the humanitarian gesture towards the American prisoner who was able to meet with his family again".
The Vatican Secretariat of State published the following statement: "The Holy Father wishes to express his warm congratulations for the historic decision taken by the Governments of the United States of America and Cuba to establish diplomatic relations, with the aim of overcoming, in the interest of the citizens of both countries, the difficulties which have marked their recent history. In recent months, Pope Francis wrote letters to the President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Mr Raúl Castro, and the President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama, and invited them to resolve humanitarian questions of common interest, including the situation of certain prisoners, in order to initiate a new phase in relations between the two Parties.
The Holy See received Delegations of the two countries in the Vatican last October and provided its good offices to facilitate a constructive dialogue on delicate matters, resulting in solutions acceptable to both Parties. The Holy See will continue to assure its support for initiatives which both nations will undertake to strengthen their bilateral relations and promote the wellbeing of their respective citizens". (CE) (Agenzia Fides 18/12/2014)