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Cubans Make a Pilgrimage to Hear Pope Francis Speak

3 minute read

Pope Francis’ mass attracted the faithful and the non-religious alike to Havana’s Plaza de la Revolución Sunday.

The previous visits of Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict had not interested Salvador, a 47-year-old engineer from Viñales, about an hour and a half away. But his devout mother, who is 79, said she would not miss this pope even if it meant she had to walk to Havana, so Salvador agreed to accompany her.

At first, he was concerned about how the heat and the humidity would affect his mother. Fortunately, a friend was able to get her a chair to sit in during the mass. Afterward he said it had been worth it.

“I have never seen her so happy and smiling,” Salvador said. “She did not complain once and believe me—this is a first!”

Read More: Pope Francis Focuses on the Individual in Cuban Mass

Salvador’s mother was not the only one for whom attending the mass was tantamount to a pilgrimage.

Ivysita, 15, said there are not many Catholics at her school and religion is rarely discussed, so the mass was a rare event. She came with a group from her church in Western Havana, all of whom were jumping and shouting for the pope’s attention.

“Me and my friends we are happy, we could not see him very well but we shouted so he would notice us,” she said. “I am sure he did look at us and he heard us. We were screaming at the top of our lungs.”

Sister Maria Rosa, who is in her mid 30s, came with a group of nuns from the nearby area of El Rincon, on the outskirts of Havana. She thought that Pope Francis’ visit would help revitalize the Catholic church in a country with a nominally atheist government system.

“The Pope is a wonderful man, so sensitive,” she said. “He is humble he is not showy, and he will invigorate our church. I am sure he has more surprises for the world to come.”

Read More: Cubans Ready to Meet a Different Kind of Pope

For others, however, the pope’s visit was more important for secular reasons, such as the signs of improved economic relations with the United States.

Igor, 37, who lives in Mariel, came to the mass at the insistence of his wife. He was underwhelmed since they were not able to get very close to the pope, though he found Francis “respectful” toward the country and its president, Raúl Castro.

But he was far more interested in what the visit showed about Cuba’s place in the world.

“Cuba is very much in the news,” he said. “The Pope’s visit helps us. If the (U.S. trade) embargo was lifted we could be so much more.”

Read Next: Pope Francis Meets Raúl Castro in Havana

See Photos From Pope Francis' Arrival in Cuba

Cuba Pope
Cuba's President Raul Castro escorts Pope Francis during the pope's arrival ceremony at the airport in Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 19, 2015.Ramon Espinosa—AP
People react after the arrival of Pope Francis outside the airport in Havana
People react after the arrival of Pope Francis outside the airport in Havana, on Sept. 19, 2015.Claudia Daut—Reuters
Pope Francis Cuba visit
People watch as Pope Francis is shown on television as he arrives in Havana, Cuba on Sept. 19, 2015 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba.Joe Raedle—Getty Images
Cuba Pope
People disperse after Pope Francis' motorcade passed by in Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 19, 2015.Desmond Boylan—AP
People react as Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Havana
People react as Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Havana, Sept. 19, 2015.Alexandre Meneghini—Reuters
APTOPIX Cuba Pope
People wave to Pope Francis in his popemobile on his way from the airport to Havana, Cuba, on Sept. 19, 2015. Ismael Francisco—AP
Pope Francis arrives for the first mass of his visit to Cuba in Havana's Revolution Square
Pope Francis arrives for the first mass of his visit to Cuba in Havana's Revolution Square, Sept. 20, 2015.Tony Gentile—Reuters
CUBA-POPE-VISIT-MASS
People attend Pope Francis' mass at Revolution Square in Havana, on September 20, 2015.Adalberto Roque—AFP/Getty Images
CUBA-POPE-VISIT-MASS
Pope Francis gives mass at Revolution Square in Havana, on Sept. 20, 2015.Rodrigo Arangua—AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis Fidel Castro Havana
Pope Francis and former President of Cuba Fidel Castro during their meeting at Castro's residence in Havana, on Sept. 20, 2015.Alex Castro—Cuba Debate/EPA
Pope Francis Cuba visit
Pope Francis flashes a thumbs up to the choir after holding a Mass in the Plaza de la Revolution in Holguin, Cuba, on Sept. 21, 2015.Joe Raedle—Getty Images
Pope Francis Cuba visit
Pope Francis is greeted by Cuba's President Raul Castro as he arrives to lead a mass for Catholic faithful in the city of Holguin, Cuba, on Sept. 21, 2015. Tony Gentile—Reuters

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