Speaking before several thousand worshipers, Francis conveyed a spiritual message to Cuba that built on his appeals for reconciliation and dialogue.
Although many bishops sat on a shaded dais behind him, Francis opted to stand under the full sun, like the audience, despite the intense heat and humidity.
“There is a way to go about serving which is interested in helping ‘my people, our people,’ ” he said. “This service always leaves ‘your people’ outside and gives rise to a process of exclusion.”
“Service is never ideological,” said Francis, his words echoing across a square long associated with the burning oratory of Fidel Castro during the early years of his Marxist revolution.
“For we do not serve ideas, we serve people,” Francis said.
[For Pope Francis, an unfinished mission in Cuba]
Cuba’s political evolution over the past several decades produced an remarkable backdrop for the Mass.
To the left of Francis was a large mural with the famous image of Guevara, the guerrilla icon who was a militant atheist, and a portrait of revolutionary comrade Camilo Cienfuegos. Directly across the plaza from the pontiff, draped across the facade of Cuba’s National Library, was a massive portrait of Jesus that read “Come to Me.”
In the audience, Argentine President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner looked on, cooling herself with a fan, seated beside Cuban President Raúl Castro and other top communist officials.
Francis is scheduled to meet privately with Raúl Castro this afternoon and is likely to pay a visit to his ailing older brother, Fidel, 89.
Cubans from all across the island came to the plaza for the Mass, arriving long before dawn, with many sleeping on the concrete until sunrise.
Francis is a popular figure on the island among Catholics and non-Catholics alike, in particular for his role in facilitating negotiations between the Castro government and the Obama administration, which led to the restoration of diplomatic relations in July.
“This pope is very worried about the problems of the world,” said Maria Elena Pendás, 50, who came with her family from a rural area of Cuba’s Pinar del Rio province, where they grow mangos, citrus and other fruit. “He’s very concerned with the environment, and that’s important to me,” she said.
[Pope Francis blasts global warming deniers in leaked draft of encyclical]
Alexander Alvarez, 51, came all the way from the central city of Camaguey, where he is a custodian at a church. He also brought Toby, his dog, a Pekinese, who he said shares his devotion.
“He sleeps every night in the altar we have to the Virgin,” Alvarez explained.
Many in the crowd waved the flags of Cuba and the Vatican.
“I think this pope is a moral authority in the world,” said Marisa Quintana, 64. “He’s capable of healing relations between nations.”
“Our country has gone through so much,” she said. “This system is one of courage,” she added, referring to the Castros’ socialist revolution. “But it has left many families divided.”
Quintana’s son and sister live in Spain. Her brother is in New York. Her mother died there.
But Quintana said she feels “less alone” because the pope is helping bridge divisions between Cuba and the United States.
“Let us not forget the good news we have heard today," Francis said as he concluded his sermon, “the importance of a people, a nation, and the importance of individuals, which is always based on how they seek to serve their vulnerable brothers and sisters. Here we encounter one of the fruits of a true humanity.”
“Brothers and sisters,” he said, “whoever does not live to serve, does not serve to live.”
No comments:
Post a Comment