Pope Francis's Pilgrim Visit to Cuba
19th - 22nd September 2015
Pope Francis left Rome on Saturday morning and spoke with journalists during the flight Rome-Havana, arriving at “José Martí” International Airport of Havana at about 4pm where there was a welcome ceremony.
On Sunday, 20 September 2015, Papa Francisco celebrated Holy Mass at Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, which was followed by the Angelus. In the afternoon there was a courtesy visit to the President of the Council of State and of the Council of Ministers of the Republic at Palacio de la Revolución in Havana, before a Celebration of Vespers with Priests, Men and Women Religious and Seminarians at the Cathedral of Havana. Pope Francis ended the day with the young people of the "Centro Cultural Padre Félix Varela" in Havana.
On Monday, 21 September 2015, Pope Francis departed promptly by plane from Havana for Holguín, where Holy Mass was celebrated at Plaza de la Revolución. In the afternoon there was the Blessing of the city from Loma de la Cruz in Holguín before El Papa travelled on to Santiago where he met with the bishops at St Basil the Great Seminary. The day ended with Prayer to the Virgen de la Caridad with the Bishops and the Papal Entourage at the Minor Basilica of the Shrine “Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre” in Santiago.
Tuesday, 22 September 2015, began with Holy Mass at the Minor Basilica of the Shrine “Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre” followed by a Meeting with families at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral and a Blessing of the city from the square in front of the Cathedral of Santiago. Following a farewell ceremony at the airport, Pope Francis held an in-Flight Press Conference on the way to Washington D.C.