At Holguín the Pope calls for overcoming resistance to change and for being transformed by the love of Christ.
The fourth and final day
of Pope Francis’ visit in Cuba, Tuesday, 22 September, began in the Marian
capital of the country, known for its shrine of the Virgin of Charity of El
Cobre.
In Santiago de Cuba, the Pontiff — who will soon leave the island and
travel to the United States of America — celebrated Mass in the basilica
dedicated to Our Lady. There he recalled how the spirit of the people has been
forged by pain and deprivation, however their faith has not burned out. The
people’s faith, he said, has endured thanks to many women, including mothers
and grandmothers, who continued to keep God’s presence alive. The Holy Father
expressed his desire for a “revolution of tenderness” which always becomes closeness and
compassion. A necessary revolution — he
said on Monday in Holguín — to overcome prejudice and resistance to change. On
the Feast of St Matthew, the Pontiff celebrated Mass with great participation
from the Cuban people.
From Holguín Francis travelled to El Cobre, where he had
a private meeting with the Bishops’ Conference of Cuba and then invited them to
accompany him to the minor basilica dedicated to the Patroness of Cuba.
Renewing the prayer of John Paul II from 1998, he implored the Virgin of
Charity to reunite and reconcile the people of Cuba, making their island into a
home of brothers and sisters.