Raúl in Italy: “I Am Pleased and Satisfied With This Visit”
Cuban President Raúl Castro meets with Pope Francis and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi during a brief stop in Rome, May 10, before returning to Cuba.
Leticia Martínez Hernández | internet@granma.cu
May 11, 2015 10:05:28
ROME.—During a technical stop in the Italian capital, which lasted just less than 24 hours, President Raúl Castro Ruz took advantage of the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis and subsequently with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, commenting to the press, “I am happy and satisfied with this visit.”
The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and the Cuban leader spoke personally for the first time in a private one-hour meeting on the morning of May 10 at the Vatican.
Following the encounter, Raúl commented that the conversation had been “magnificent,” adding that he had come to thank Pope Francis for all that he had done “to begin to resolve the problems between the United States and Cuba.” Before departing for Cuba, after his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Raúl again spoke with the press about his visit to the Vatican, emphasizing the Pope’s wisdom and modesty. Raúl recalled his studies as a young man at a Jesuit college and noted that he would attend all the masses celebrated by the Pontiff during his September visit to Cuba.
Raúl subsequently met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who described relations between Cuba and Italy as entering a new chapter. Speaking with the press, after the two leaders met, Renzi commented, “This is a happy day for our governments, which have been working together for months and will continue to do so.
It is a great day for all Italians who love Cuba and for all Cubans who love Italy. It is palpable for us that many things are changing, that history has followed its course, and we want to play a leading role in this new history.” The Prime Minister said he was convinced that the two countries could do a great deal together, and that the greatest challenge facing the world is the creation of more just societies which combat poverty, inequality and injustice.
He reiterated that Cuba and Italy could be leaders on this new road to a better world, adding that the day was an important one, but that “the best was yet to come.” Raúl likewise addressed the press, describing the meeting with his counterpart as important, saying, “We talked about everything - the past, the present and the relations Cubans and Italians have historically maintained.
The relationship is good; trade is progressing and will undoubtedly continue to develop over the coming period.” Raúl arrived in Cuba Sunday evening and was welcomed at José Martí International Airport by José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the Party’s Central Committee; and Minister of the Interior, General Abelardo Colomé Ibarra.
Leticia Martínez Hernández | internet@granma.cu
May 11, 2015 10:05:28
ROME.—During a technical stop in the Italian capital, which lasted just less than 24 hours, President Raúl Castro Ruz took advantage of the opportunity to meet with Pope Francis and subsequently with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, commenting to the press, “I am happy and satisfied with this visit.”
The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and the Cuban leader spoke personally for the first time in a private one-hour meeting on the morning of May 10 at the Vatican.
Following the encounter, Raúl commented that the conversation had been “magnificent,” adding that he had come to thank Pope Francis for all that he had done “to begin to resolve the problems between the United States and Cuba.” Before departing for Cuba, after his meeting with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, Raúl again spoke with the press about his visit to the Vatican, emphasizing the Pope’s wisdom and modesty. Raúl recalled his studies as a young man at a Jesuit college and noted that he would attend all the masses celebrated by the Pontiff during his September visit to Cuba.
Raúl subsequently met with Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, who described relations between Cuba and Italy as entering a new chapter. Speaking with the press, after the two leaders met, Renzi commented, “This is a happy day for our governments, which have been working together for months and will continue to do so.
It is a great day for all Italians who love Cuba and for all Cubans who love Italy. It is palpable for us that many things are changing, that history has followed its course, and we want to play a leading role in this new history.” The Prime Minister said he was convinced that the two countries could do a great deal together, and that the greatest challenge facing the world is the creation of more just societies which combat poverty, inequality and injustice.
He reiterated that Cuba and Italy could be leaders on this new road to a better world, adding that the day was an important one, but that “the best was yet to come.” Raúl likewise addressed the press, describing the meeting with his counterpart as important, saying, “We talked about everything - the past, the present and the relations Cubans and Italians have historically maintained.
The relationship is good; trade is progressing and will undoubtedly continue to develop over the coming period.” Raúl arrived in Cuba Sunday evening and was welcomed at José Martí International Airport by José Ramón Machado Ventura, second secretary of the Party’s Central Committee; and Minister of the Interior, General Abelardo Colomé Ibarra.
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