Fidel Castro Attends Mass in Honor of John Paul II

Fidel Castro Attends Mass in Honor of John Paul II

Havana, April 5 (AIN) Cuban President Fidel Castro attended Monday evening's funeral mass in honor of His Holiness Pope John Paul II.

The religious service -officiated by Havana's Archbishop, Cardinal Jaime Ortega- was held at the Havana Cathedral, with the presence of high ranking Cuban officials, diplomats, and churchgoers.

Panelists on the national radio and TV program "The Round Table," commented on foreign news coverage of the Cuban leader's presence earlier in the day at the Papal Nuncio Office in Havana, where he signed the book of condolences. The Cuban leader was accompanied by Vice President Raul Castro and other leaders of the Revolution.

In his message of condolence for the passing of the Pontiff on Saturday, April 2, President Castro wrote: "May you rest in peace, tireless fighter for the friendship among nations, enemy of war, and friend of the poor."

Round Table moderator, Randy Alonso, announced that the Cuban delegation to the funeral of the Pope, set for Friday April 8, will be headed by Ricardo Alarcon, the president of the Cuban parliament.

The analysts noted that up to two million pilgrims are expected to flood into Rome to pay their last respects to Pope John Paul II.

Rogelio Polanco, editor of Juventud Rebelde newspaper, commented on the homage that various political leaders of the world have being paying to the Pope since his death was announced. He said some have described him as "The Pope of the poor, and the defender of equality among all races and creeds."

Hermes Herrera, former Cuban Ambassador to the Vatican from 1992 to 1998, was interviewed on the program. He acknowledged the Pope's concern for the social problems of the world, even in those places where the catholic religion is a minority.

The successor of John Paul II will be elected by the conclave of cardinals in Rome. No date has been set for the process that will choose the 265th pontiff of the Catholic Church from the 1st century to date. Under Vatican rules, the conclave should meet between 15 and 20 days after a Pope's death.

(AIN) April 5, 2005

Cuban President Sends Condolences to the Vatican

Havana, April 4 (AIN) President Fidel Castro's message of condolences to the Vatican upon the death of Pope John Paul II was highlighted in the local media across Cuba.

Sunday's edition of the newspaper Juventud Rebelde published the official government statement as well as a decree establishing three days of mourning following the pontiff's passing.

The daily also included declarations by Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque, who expressed the nation's grief for the death of Pope John Paul II and added that the Cuban people will continue to see the Pontiff as a friend.

Several events will be suspended in honor of the Pope; these included festive activities that had been planned in Cuba on the occasion of the anniversaries of the Young Communist League and the Jose Marti Children's Organization.

In addition, the finals of the national baseball playoffs were postponed until after the three-day official mourning.

Regular radio and television programs were also modified, with more subdued music to be played, while ample news programming will be devoted to Pope John Paul II and details on his funeral.

The weekly Havana Tribuna's front page read, "World Saddened by Death of Pope John Paul II" and an article stated, "The Cuban people will always remember his visit to our country with gratitude."

A book of condolences was available for signing at the Vatican's diplomatic representation in Havana on Sunday afternoon and a funeral mass is scheduled for Monday night at the Havana cathedral.

(AIN) April 5, 2005

Cuban Foreign Minister Offers Condolences at Vatican Embassy

Havana, April 4 (AIN) Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque expressed the Cuban people's sentiment of respect towards Pope John Paul II after signing the book of condolences on Sunday at the Vatican embassy in Havana.

Luigi Bonazzi, the Vatican representative in Havana, welcomed Perez Roque, who was accompanied by the head of the Office for Religious Affairs of the Central Committee of Cuban Communist Party, Caridad Diego Bello.

Upon the death of the Pontiff on Saturday, the Cuban government announced "We express our condolences, our respect and solidarity to Catholic believers in Cuba and the rest of the World."

The foreign minister informed that all activities related to the funeral services, scheduled for Friday, April 8, will receive ample coverage by the Cuban media.

Perez Roque recalled his people's gratitude for the Pontiff's visit made to Cuba in January, 1998. He said Cubans will always remember his declaration against the US blockade of the island, which he described as unjust and ethically unacceptable.

The Vatican representative pointed to the sorrow expressed by the Cuban people for the physical disappearance of Pope John Paul II who passed away at the age of 84.

The Council of State of the Republic of Cuba declared three days of official mourning. The decree, signed by Cuban President Fidel Castro, ordered the national flag to fly at half mast at public buildings and military installations for a period of three days staring April 3rd.

In addition, festive activities that were programmed on the island on the occasion of the anniversaries of the Young Communist League and the Jose Marti Children's Organization were suspended.

Even the finals of the national baseball playoffs between Santiago de Cuba and Havana Province were postponed until the end of the national mourning.

(AIN) April 5, 2005

Genuine and Spontaneous Cuban Reaction to Pope's Death

Havana, April 4 (AIN) The charisma and sense of justice of Pope John Paul II both outside and inside the Catholic Church brought a genuine and spontaneous reaction from the Cuban people upon his death.

In statements to the press in Havana, Caridad Diego, head of the Office of Religious Affairs at the Central Committee of Cuba's Communist Party, said the Pontiff was a renowned international figure with close contact to the people resulting from his visits to 129 countries.

The Cuban official pointed out that Pope John Paul II had seen with his own eyes the problems of humanity and highlighted his criticism against exploitation and savage capitalism.

She added that that the Pope was a man loyal to his ideas and convictions. He was a figure that fought for peace and against war, said Caridad Diego,

After describing the Pope's visit to Cuba on January 1998 as historic, Diego said that the sentiment of sorrow and pain of the Cuban people is genuine and spontaneous for the death of the head of the Roman Catholic Church, with which the island has maintained diplomatic relations since 1935.

The Religious Affairs official pointed out that Cuba has been following closely the Pontiff's health and that the Cuban Catholic Church has received the support of the local authorities and government.

Pope John Paul II, who will be buried on Friday, was a figure that expressed affection towards the island and recalled that on various occasions he had criticized Washington's economic blockade against Cuba, said Caridad Diego.

(AIN) April 5, 2005