Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Santa Clara (Fides News Agency) - The bishops of Cuba have expressed their “deepest communion and filial affection” for Pope Leo XIV in a letter dated April 13, 2026, in which they express their closeness to the Pontiff in the face of recent attacks and thank him for his witness in favor of peace and the most vulnerable.
In the letter, signed by the President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, Bishop Arturo González Amador of Santa Clara, the prelates emphasize that, “in a world wounded by conflicts and wars,” the Pope’s invitation to work for peace “becomes a prophetic voice and a beacon of light amid so much darkness.”
The bishops also emphasize that when the Pope “is attacked or denigrated for his fidelity to the Gospel and his defense of the poor and excluded,” he makes the Lord Jesus present “in a tangible way,” and they assure him of their prayers and closeness, invoking the protection of Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre over his ministry.
This gesture of ecclesial communion comes in a particularly complex context for the island. Cuba is experiencing one of the deepest crises in its recent history, marked by shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, as well as prolonged blackouts that severely affect the daily lives of the population. The economic difficulties linked to the embargo imposed by the United States have generated growing social unrest, which in some cases has led to protests in various regions of the country. Added to this situation is the concern over the increase in arrests of people who dissent from government policy.
According to the latest report from Prisoners Defenders organization, dated March 2026, the number of political prisoners has surpassed one thousand in recent months, with new arrests, including of women and minors, linked to peaceful protests and the expression of critical opinions. The report also indicates that many detainees suffer from health problems without adequate medical attention, in conditions that raise serious concerns. In response to this situation, Caritas Cuba has intensified the distribution of humanitarian aid. Through its network, it has delivered food, hygiene products, and basic household items to vulnerable families in various dioceses.
The organization has emphasized that these resources are intended to support those most in need, in a context where material shortages are increasingly evident. However, fuel shortages and logistical limitations are also affecting the Church's ability to distribute aid and reach all communities. Since the beginning of 2026, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba has repeatedly called for “addressing the country’s reality with a spirit of dialogue, hope, and shared responsibility,” insisting on the need to “seek ways to overcome the crisis and alleviate the suffering of the Cuban people,” as the Conference itself stated in its statement of February 12, 2026, when requesting the postponement of the ad limina visit. In that statement, the prelates explained that the decision was due to “the worsening socio-economic situation in the country, which is generating so much instability and uncertainty,” and specified that the meeting with Pope Leo XIV, initially scheduled for February 16-20, 2026, had been postponed to a later date, without a new official date having been set to date. (Fides News Agency, 17/4/2026)
