This is the fourth and final report about the Pope’s visit to Mexico and Cuba.

Close to one million people attended to the Mass celebrated by the Pope in Havana on the final day of his visit to Cuba.

His homily was described by news agencies, including AP,  as an “unusually politicized homily.”

The Pope appealed for greater freedom—especially religious freedom—in the Communist nation and, at the same time,  criticised the US embargo of Cuba and noting that in 50 years the US policy had failed to change the Castro regime.

“It must be said with joy that in Cuba steps have been taken to enable the Church to carry out her essential mission of expressing her faith openly and publicly. Nonetheless, this must continue forwards, and I wish to encourage the country’s government authorities to strengthen what has already been achieved and advance along this path of genuine service to the true good of Cuban society as a whole.”

“Those deprived of freedom”

On March 27 the Pope travelled to the Shrine of "Nuestra Senora de la Caridad del Cobre", patron of Cuba.

He told the crowds assembled to meet him:

“ I have entrusted to the Mother of God the future of your country, advancing along the ways of renewal and hope, for the greater good of all Cubans. I have also prayed to the Virgin for the needs of those who suffer, of those who are deprived of freedom, those who are separated from their loved ones or who are undergoing times of difficulty. I have placed in her Immaculate Heart young people, that they may be authentic friends of Christ and that they may not succumb to things which bring sadness in their wake.”

Good Friday as a holiday?

The Pope paid a courtesy visit to President Raul Castro.

Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. described the meeting between the two men as "long, cordial and serene". Their discussions, he said, had focused on the condition of the Cuban people, including humanitarian issues and the Church’s expectations in her service of the common good. The Pope also made a specific request for Good Friday to be re-established as a holiday.

Prayer for a Better Future

During his departure speech at Havana’s airport today the Pope thanked the civil and Church authorities for their cooperation and assistance.

“I hold deep in my heart all the Cuban people, each and every one. … You have surrounded me with prayer and affection, offered me cordial hospitality and shared with me your profound and rightful aspirations,” the Pope added.

He declared that he had come to Cuba as a witness to Jesus Christ, to proclaim a message of salvation and to strengthen the Church. .

“The light of the Lord, has shone brightly during these days; may that light never fade in those who have welcomed it; may it help all people to foster social harmony and to allow the blossoming of all that is finest in the Cuban soul, its most noble values, which can be the basis for building a society of broad vision, renewed and reconciled,” he commented.

On a more overtly political note the Pope referred to the limitations on basic freedoms and also to restrictive economic measures imposed from outside that “unfairly burden” the people of Cuba.

The respect and promotion of freedom is essential, the Pontiff continued, to enable people to respond to the demands of human dignity and to build up society.

He called for a “patient and sincere dialogue” and said that: “The present hour urgently demands that in personal, national and international co-existence we reject immovable positions and unilateral viewpoints which tend to make understanding more difficult and efforts at cooperation ineffective.”

(This report is mainly based on material taken from the Vatican Information Service.)