Pope Francis receives Cuban President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez

Pope Francis receives President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of Cuba and his entourage in private audience in the Vatican.

By Vatican news

A statement released by the Holy See Press Office on Tuesday, 20 June, said Pope Francis received the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall during the morning.

The President then went on to meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State, accompanied by Mgr. Daniel Pacho, Undersecretary for the Multilateral Sector of the Section for Relations with States and International Organisations.

According to the statement, amongst the topics discussed were the importance of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Cuba, and the historic visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1998 was evoked on its 25th anniversary year.

They then dwelt on the situation in the country and the contribution that the Church offers, especially in the areas of charity.

The statement concluded noting that during the conversation some international topics of mutual interest were touched upon, as well as the importance of continuing to promote the common good.

European tour

President Díaz-Canel Bermúdez is scheduled to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on Tuesday afternoon as part of a tour of Europe from 20 to 24 June.

On Wednesday he will participate in Paris as President of the Group of 77+China in the Summit for a new World Financial Pact.