(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 01.17.2024).- The Cuban government announced the gradual release of 553 prisoners in response to a direct appeal from Pope Francis. This decision, tied to the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year 2025, signals a significant step in aligning humanitarian gestures with global calls for justice and compassion.
A Jubilee Gesture with Global Implications
The Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared on January 14 that the release would occur «in the spirit of the Jubilee Ordinario of 2025 declared by His Holiness.» The government framed the decision as the result of a «thorough legal and humanitarian analysis,» though it withheld details about the identities of the prisoners to be freed.
This action coincides with Pope Francis’s formal invitation to governments worldwide to enact amnesty or pardon measures as part of the Jubilee Year’s emphasis on renewal and mercy. In his official proclamation for the Jubilee, the Pope also highlighted the need for reintegration programs for those in prison, a sentiment mirrored in Cuba’s initiative.
A Broader Landscape of Change
The announcement came on the same day the U.S. government revealed a policy shift that included removing Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism and easing certain restrictions on the island nation. While the Cuban government did not explicitly link its prisoner release to these U.S. measures, both actions reflect a renewed focus on fostering dialogue and improving living conditions for the Cuban people.
The White House acknowledged the Catholic Church’s critical role in brokering these developments, stating, “We recognize the Church’s efforts under Pope Francis’s leadership to encourage Cuba to adopt constructive measures for freedom and dignity.”
Vatican Endorsement of Hope and Renewal
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, praised Cuba’s decision as a “significant act of hope” at the dawn of the Jubilee Year. He also noted other recent positive developments, including the U.S. commutation of federal death sentences and Zimbabwe’s abolition of the death penalty. “We hope 2025 brings more encouraging news, particularly with ceasefires for ongoing conflicts,” Cardinal Parolin added, framing these gestures as a collective movement toward global reconciliation.
A History of Papal Advocacy
The release of prisoners in Cuba builds upon years of behind-the-scenes diplomacy facilitated by the Vatican. Cardinal Seán O’Malley, archbishop emeritus of Boston, shared that he had carried personal messages from Pope Francis to leaders in the U.S. and Cuba advocating for prisoner releases and improved bilateral relations. “In the spirit of the Jubilee, I welcome these measures, which for years seemed unattainable,” O’Malley wrote on January 14.
The Pope’s direct involvement has been a recurring theme in Cuba’s evolving relationship with the Vatican. From high-level discussions with Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to symbolic acts such as opening the Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia prison, Francis has consistently championed the dignity of the incarcerated.
A Jubilee of Prisoners
Looking ahead, the Jubilee Year will culminate in the “Jubilee of Prisoners” event in December 2025. This extraordinary gathering will bring inmates from around the world to St. Peter’s Basilica for a Mass with the Pope.
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