Cuba
Rev. Joan Brown Campbell recalls her pioneering ministry
By Adelle M. Banks — April 6, 2016
(RNS) Campbell said clergywomen attaining top leadership positions "still is something that is out of the ordinary."
Putin may benefit from meeting of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill
By Reuters — February 11, 2016
VATICAN CITY/MOSCOW (Reuters) Diplomats and analysts say Friday's summit in Havana could not happen without a green light from the Russian president.
Pope Francis and Russian patriarch to meet in Cuba in historic breakthrough
By Rosie Scammell — February 5, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The chief impetus for the Feb. 12 meeting is the need for a joint response to the persecution of Christians in the Middle East. The Russian leader, Patriarch Kirill, needs to reassure his own flock that he won't be focused on reuniting with Catholicism after a 1,000-year schism.
Pope deploys Cuban crucifix to front line of migrant crisis
By Rosie Scammell — November 13, 2015
(RNS) Standing more than 9 feet tall, the crucifix is made of wooden oars as a symbol of migration. It was given to Francis by Cuban President Raul Castro during the pontiff’s visit in September.
Pope Francis may travel to Mexico in 2016
By Rosie Scammell — October 6, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) No official confirmation was given, but "concrete steps" are being taken to make it happen.
Pope calls for ‘revolution of tenderness’ in Cuba
By Rick Jervis — September 22, 2015
"Generation after generation, day after day, we are asked to renew our faith,' the pope said. "We are asked to live the revolution of tenderness as Mary, our Mother of Charity, did."
Two Cuban dissidents say they were detained on way to see pope
By Reuters — September 21, 2015
HAVANA (Reuters) – Overall, an estimated 50 dissidents have been detained and prevented from attending papal events, said a Cuban human rights group.
Pope exhorts US and Cuba to push detente further
By Reuters — September 19, 2015
HAVANA (Reuters) In his speech, Francis urged further backing for Cuban Catholics "so that the church can continue to support and encourage the Cuban people."
Pope Francis will test his diplomacy on US tour
By Rosie Scammell — September 18, 2015
VATICAN (RNS) His Cuba and U.S. visits could heighten the pope’s clout as a moral authority on the world stage.
As Cuba readies for Pope Francis’ visit, Catholicism thrives again
By Reuters — September 17, 2015
The church -- repressed for decades after Fidel Castro's 1959 revolution -- now has more autonomy than any organization outside the Communist Party.
Cuba pardons 3,522 prisoners days before Pope Francis’ visit
By Reuters — September 12, 2015
Dissident groups say none on the list are political prisoners. Cuba released 53 political prisoners in conjunction with last December's announcement of detente with United States, engineered with the aid of Pope Francis.
Atheist Castros praise Christian values, prepare for papal visit
By Reuters — September 7, 2015
Fidel and Raul Castro turned against the Church decades ago, now, in their old age, they have brought the Church in from the cold.
Havana’s U.S. flag no victory for pope (COMMENTARY)
By Nicholas G. Hahn III — August 14, 2015
Pope Francis could exercise some spiritual leadership and deny Raul Castro communion at Mass in the same way Castro denies freedom for the people of Cuba.
Pope Francis will try to break out of ‘the bubble’ on his US trip, details show
By David Gibson — June 30, 2015
(RNS) Pope Francis’ itinerary for his Sept. 22-27 U.S. visit shows how this “pope of the people” wants to avoid becoming a prisoner of the East Coast “power corridor” during his five days in Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
Obama toured Catholic shrine dear to Miami Cubans
By Reuters — May 29, 2015
South Florida Cuban exiles are divided over his move -- aided by Pope Francis -- to normalize relations with Cuba.
