(Vatican Radio) On the 19th of September Pope Francis will become the third pope to visit Cuba in the past 17 years, following in the footsteps of Saint John Paul II in 1998 and Benedict XVI, now pope emeritus in 2012 .
During his stay in Cuba his schedule includes the celebration of three Holy Masses with the Cuban faithful before flying to the United States on the 22nd of September.
As we know Cuba has a strong Marian devotion and one of the masses Pope Francis will preside over will take place at the National Shrine of “Our Lady of Charity of Cobre”.
But the Catholic Church in Cuba doesn’t only have a strong Marian devotion it also has some key figures to its name. Among these the Servant of God Félix Varela and the man to inherit his legacy José Marti. And on the evening of the 20th of September while in Havana Pope Francis will visit a cultural centre dedicated to Varela, the ‘Centro de Estudio P.Félix Varela’.
A programme presented and produced by Veronica Scarisbrick:
To find out more about these two figures Veronica Scarisbrick steps back in time to that first historic visit of John Paul II to Cuba in 1998. A journey which took him on the 23rd of January of that year to the University of Havana where he venerated the relics of this great priest and patriot whom he described on this occasion as the true ‘Father’ of Cuban culture:
“He is, in his own person, the best synthesis one could find of Christian faith and Cuban culture. An exemplary priest of Havana and an undeniable patriot, Fr Varela was an outstanding thinker who in 19th-century Cuba renewed the method and content of teaching in philosophy, law, science and theology. To generations of Cubans, he taught that to assume full responsibility for our existence we must first learn the difficult art of thinking in a right way and with our own mind. He was the first to speak of independence in these lands. He also spoke of democracy, judging it to be the political project best in keeping with human nature, while at the same time underscoring its demands. Among these demands, he stressed two in particular: first, that people must be educated for freedom and responsibility, with a personally assimilated ethical code which includes the best of the heritage of civilization and enduring transcendental values, so that they may be able to undertake decisive tasks in service of the community; and second, that human relationships, like the form of society as a whole, must give people suitable opportunities to perform, with proper respect and solidarity, their historic role giving substance to the rule of law, which is the essential guarantee of every form of human concourse claiming to be democratic.
During this visit to the University of Havana Pope John Paul also highlighted Father Varela’s awareness that in his time, independence was as yet unattainable ideal and so devoted his time to training people, men and women of conscience, who were neither high-handed with the weak nor weak with the powerful. And again how during his New York exile, he used a range of means to pursue his goal: personal letters, the press and what might be judged his finest work, Letters to Elpidio concerning impiety, superstition and fanaticism in relation to society, a true monument of moral teaching, his precious legacy to the young people of Cuba. How in the last 30 years of his life, far away from Havana, he continued to teach from afar and so gave birth to a school of thought, a vision of human society and an attitude towards one’s own country which even today should enlighten all Cubans. The entire life of Fr Varela, Pope John Paul remarked was inspired by a profound Christian spirituality:
“This was his deep driving-force, the wellspring of his virtues, the root of his commitment to the Church and to Cuba: to seek the glory of God in all things. This led him to believe in the power of little things, in the creative force of seeds of truth, in the appropriateness of changes being made step by step towards great and authentic reforms. “…. “Christ is the way which leads man to the fullness of life, the way which leads to a society which is more just, more free, more human, more caring. The love for Christ and for Cuba which illumined Fr Varela’s life is part of the indestructible root of Cuban culture. A legacy taken up, shortly after his death, by another striking figure of this country, José Martí: a writer and a teacher in the fullest sense of the word, deeply committed to democracy and independence, a patriot, a loyal friend even to those who did not share his political programme. He was above all an enlightened man, faithful to his ethical values and stirred by a spirituality the roots of which are outstandingly evangelical. He is regarded as the heir of the thought of Fr Varela, whom he called “the Cuban saint”.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis said he will “do everything possible to build bridges, to remove barriers, and to foster communication” between Cuba and the United States during his 10-day visit to the two countries.
“That communication can then bring about friendship,” he said during a teleconference aired by CNN en Español on Friday.
The Holy Father was answering questions from students in Havana and New York in an ecounter which was organized with the charity “Scholas occurrentes.”
The question about the US embargo on Cuba came from a student in Havana.
“One of the nicest things is the friendship among societies,” Pope Francis said. “That is what I would like you to want: a friendship among societies.”
Asked by another Cuban student about his style of leadership, Pope Francis said, “a good leader is one who is capable of bringing up other leaders. If a leader wants to lead alone, he is a tyrant. True leadership is fruitful. Each one of you has the seed of leadership.”
“The leaders of today will not be here tomorrow,” said Pope Francis. “If they do not plant the seed of leadership in others, then they are no good, they are dictators.”
Pope Francis also spoke about the rights of children to an education, saying “we are in a time of crisis in the world when it comes to education.”
“Think the number of children in countries that are at war right now, with no education. Thousands and thousands of children,” he said.
“It is a challenge. It is a challenge that must be faced. And we have to start,” the Pope said.
Pope Francis challenged young people to not wait until the governments come to an agreement, but called on them to “educate each other,” and commended those who gave up holidays and weekends to teach others.
Pope Francis also said an important part of education is playing, because that is where you learn “how to be social, and how to enjoy life.”
“We have lost track of the number of children who do not have the pleasure of being able to play, because of war, poverty, or because they live on the street,” he said.
During the encounter, Pope Francis also said young people need to start taking care of the environment, saying it is “shouting for us to pay attention.”
“First of all, see the problems in your neighborhood, your city, and your country. What environmental problems exist?” said the Pope, urging them to look for concrete ways to act.
Pope Francis ended the encounter by telling the young people “Do not be afraid,” adding “fear paralyzes.” He reminded them the future in their hands.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Travelling on the same aeroplane with Pope Francis on his Apostolic journey to Cuba and the United States is the head of Vatican Radio’s English Programme, Sean Patrick Lovett. Before his departure Veronica Scarisbrick asked him to put this visit which takes place from the 19th to the 23rd of September into context as well as give us a behind the scenes look at the organisation of a trip which Sean says is sure to be historic.
Listen to this interview with the head of the English Progamme Sean Patrick Lovett:
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday (18th September) addressed participants at a symposium organized by the Vatican Observatory, saying their scientific research on the universe can help promote interreligious dialogue which is more urgent than ever nowadays. He also encouraged an ever deeper dialogue between science and religion.
The pope began his address to the participants of the symposium by recalling the history of the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo which was formally inaugurated by Pope Pius XI back in 1935 with the words “Deum Creatorem venite adoremus” carved into the wall. The Observatory’s management was entrusted to the Society of Jesus.
Quoting from his encyclical Laudato Si, the Pope said: “Rather than a (scientific) problem to be solved, the world is a joyful mystery to be contemplated with joyness and praise.” “The entire material universe speaks of God’s love, his boundless affection for us.”
Pope Francis noted that the participants at the symposium were discussing themes related to the dialogue between science and religion and recalled the words of Saint John Paul who in a letter to a previous director of the Vatican Observatory stressed the need for an ever deepening dialogue between the two. He said such a dialogue, whilst protecting the integrity both of religion and science, should, at the same time, promote progress for both.
The pope said when it comes to interreligious dialogue, which nowadays is more and more urgent, scientific research on the universe can offer a unique perspective, shared by believers and non-believers, which helps us to reach a better religious understanding of creation. It’s for this reason, he said, that the Astrophysics (Summer) Schools that the Observatory has organized during the past 30 years are a precious opportunity for young astronomers from across the world to dialogue and collaborate in the search of truth.
The Pope noted that the symposium was also discussing the importance of communicating the message that the Church and its pastors are embracing, encouraging and promoting authentic science. He concluded his address by telling the participants that it was very important for them to share the gift of their scientific knowledge of the universe with other people, freely giving what they received for free. I encourage you, he said, to continue along this journey of exploring our universe.
(from Vatican Radio)…
Vatican City, 18 September 2015 (VIS) – According to a press release issued today by the Apostolic Almoner, the parish community of St. Anna in the Vatican has received a family of refugees, consisting of a father, mother and two children. They are Syrian, Christians of Catholic Greek-Melkite rite, and fled from their war-torn home city of Damascus, arriving in the Vatican on Sunday 6 September, when during the Angelus the Pope launched an appeal to each parish, religious community, monastery and shrine to offer shelter to a family. The four members of the family will stay in an apartment in the Vatican, near St. Peter’s. The procedures for requesting international protection were initiated immediately. According to the law, for the first six months after presenting the request for asylum, applicants may not accept paid work. In this period they will be assisted and accompanied by the St. Anna parish community. Until the decision is made in Italy as to whether or not their status of refugee will be granted, further information regarding this family cannot be given. Furthermore, to protect them during this phase it would be appropriate for the mass media to respect their wish not to be sought or interviewed. With regard to the accommodation of a second family in the Vatican parish of St. Peter, the Almoner is not currently able to provide further information. In this context of Christian charity towards those who flee war and famine, it is worth highlighting that for many years the Popes, through the Apostolic Almoner, have contributed to the payment of taxes for the issue of stay permits for refugees through the Centro Astalli, directed by the Jesuits (since 2014, 50,000 euros have been disbursed for this purpose). In addition, the Almoner, again on behalf of the Pope, helps many individuals and families of refugees on a daily basis, as well as meeting needs, including healthcare, for many reception centres located in Rome. Furthermore, for some days a modern mobile clinic, donated to the Pope a few years ago and so far reserved solely for events at which he presides, was made available several times a week to assist refugees in reception centres, including irregular ones, situated in the outskirts of Rome. The volunteers, who are doctors, nurses and Swiss Guards, are employees of Vatican City State institutions, the University of Rome at Tor Vergata, and members of the Association of the “Medicina Solidale Onlus” Institute….