Vatican City, Dec 15, 2011 / 12:04 pm
Cardinal Jaime Ortega y Alamino of Havana voiced anticipation over Pope Benedict XVI’s planned visit to Cuba in March of 2012.
“The Pope’s visit is always a special grace like John Paul II’s was. I am sure Benedict XVI’s visit will be also,” he told CNA after a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Dec. 12.
During the Mass in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pope Benedict announced his intention to visit Cuba and Mexico before Easter of 2012. He said he would travel to both countries “to proclaim the Word of Christ there and to and convince people that this is the time to evangelize with strong faith, living hope and burning charity.”
Pope Benedict will be the second pontiff to visit Cuba after the historic visit by Blessed Pope John Paul II in 1998.