MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Francis instrumental in US-Cuba relationship process

Presidents Barack Obama of the United Stes and Raul Castro of Cuba agreed to restore full diplomatic ties with help from Pope Francis.

The first Latin American pope in history sent letters to Obama, Raúl Castro and brokered negotiations which ended up in Wednesday's announcement that both countries are to resume full ties.

 Pope Francis on Wednesday offered his congratulations to the governments of the United States and Cuba, as they announced the two countries will start talks on resuming diplomatic relations.

The pontiff played a vital role in the process which led to the restoration of full diplomatic ties between Cuba and the United States, it was revealed Wednesday. It was him who took the initiative and sent letters urging Presidents Barack Obama and Raúl Castro to resolve “humanitarian questions”; resolve the release of political prisoners, including Alan Gross, and “initiate a new phase in relations” and later had the Vatican host a diplomatic meeting between the two sides in October, which was moderated by Papal Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, providing what the Vatican calls “its good offices to facilitate a constructive dialogue”.

The Holy See has vowed to continue to offer support for initiatives on the part of both countries to strengthen bilateral relations and promote the wellbeing of their respective citizens.

“[The Pope] knows the Cuban situation by heart,” Gianni La Bella, a professor of contemporary history and an expert in Latin American Catholicism, as well as a member of the Community of Sant’Egidio, a liberal Catholic group active in international affairs told The New York Times. “He visited when he was a cardinal and has a strong relationship with the archbishop of Havana, who is obviously a strategic player in this,” the scholar added.

Francis’s appointment of Cardinal Parolin as secretary of state was also significant. Long considered one of the Vatican’s most talented diplomats, Cardinal Parolin served as apostolic nuncio in Venezuela, one of Cuba’s closest allies. From that perch, Cardinal Parolin gained a sophisticated understanding of regional dynamics and the Cuban predicament, Professor La Bella said.

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, exactly 78 years ago on Wednesday, he became the first Latin American Head of the Catholic church on March 13, 2013. He was given a tango dance birthday party at St Peter's Square, celebrated the 2-1 victory in extra time of his favourite football club San Lorenzo de Almagro (ironically not named after a true saint) over Auckland City of New Zealand at a Club World Cup semi-final in Marrakesh and reinforced his role as a key broker in international affairs, all in one day.