The Episcopal Conference of Cuba confirmed that Pope Francis will visit the island nation from September 19th – 22nd. The visit will precede the Holy Father’s trip to the United States.
The release of the schedule follows the Pope’s meeting on Sunday with Cuban President Raul Castro.
Although there is no official confirmation of the Pope’s schedule by the Holy See, the Cuban bishops stated that the Pope will arrive in Havana on September 19th. From there, he will travel to the city of Holguín, which has a population of 500,000 people. Finally, the Pope will go to Santiago de Cuba, where he will visit the Basilica of El Cobre, which houses the statue of Our Lady of Charity, the patroness of Cuba.
The Shrine has been visited by both St. John Paul II and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.
