In a video message to the people of Cuba on the eve of his Apostolic Visit, Pope Francis said he will come there “to share faith and hope, so that we can strengthen each other in following Jesus.”
The Pope’s message was broadcasted in Cuba on Thursday evening, according to the Holy See Press Office.
In his message, the Holy Father said he wished to greet them before his arrival Saturday. He also said that it helped him to think about their faithfulness to the Lord.
“In the courage with which you face difficulties every day, in the love with which you help and sustain each other in the path of life. Thank you for this most valuable witness.”
The Pope said that he wished to send them an important message: that Jesus loves them and knows the desires of their heart.
“And when we don’t behave as He hopes, He always stays at our side, willing to receive us, to comfort us, to give us a new hope, a new opportunity, a new life; He never leaves, He is always there.”
The Holy Father thanked them for their prayers leading up to his visit. The Bishops of Cuba called on the faithful to recite a prayer to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
“It is beautiful to have a heart like that of Jesus to know how to love like him, to forgive, to give hope, to accompany.”
Concluding his message, Pope Francis said that while he comes to Cuba as a missionary of God’s love and tenderness, the faithful are also called to be missionaries of faith and God’s love.
“I am also going to the Shrine of Our Lady of Charity as another pilgrim, as a son who is eager to go to his mother’s house. I entrust to Her this journey and I also entrust to Her the Cuban people,” he said.
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On the Web:
To see the Pope’s video message (in Spanish) to the People of Cuba, go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaBWMi75na4
