This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2015/sep/20/pope-francis-celebrates-mass-havana-revolution-square-live
The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 23 | Version 24 |
|---|---|
| Pope Francis meets Fidel Castro – as it happened | Pope Francis meets Fidel Castro – as it happened |
| (14 days later) | |
| 12.21am BST | 12.21am BST |
| 00:21 | 00:21 |
| Arrests, gifts, Fidel and Danzón: Pope Francis's Cuba tour, day one | Arrests, gifts, Fidel and Danzón: Pope Francis's Cuba tour, day one |
| Adam Brereton | Adam Brereton |
| What a day for the pontiff! Here’s the key points from the first day of his tour, spent in Havana: | What a day for the pontiff! Here’s the key points from the first day of his tour, spent in Havana: |
| Thanks for tuning in! The blog will be running all week as the pope continues his tour through Cuba and the US. | Thanks for tuning in! The blog will be running all week as the pope continues his tour through Cuba and the US. |
| 12.18am BST | 12.18am BST |
| 00:18 | 00:18 |
| Jonathan Watts | Jonathan Watts |
| It was not as easy as you might expect to find Catholics among the crowd waiting for the pope this evening. But there was not shortage of excitements and optimism about seeing a pontiff who has played a major role in improving relations between Cuba and the United States. | It was not as easy as you might expect to find Catholics among the crowd waiting for the pope this evening. But there was not shortage of excitements and optimism about seeing a pontiff who has played a major role in improving relations between Cuba and the United States. |
| Many students here want to emigrate to their wealthier neighbour as soon as they graduate. Others hope that closer ties will help their own country become a more desirable place to live. | Many students here want to emigrate to their wealthier neighbour as soon as they graduate. Others hope that closer ties will help their own country become a more desirable place to live. |
| “I’m not Catholic, but I respect the pope. He’s an important man for the world and he has done a lot of good for Cuba,” said 21-year-old Xavier Alexander Rodríguez, a students of computer science. | “I’m not Catholic, but I respect the pope. He’s an important man for the world and he has done a lot of good for Cuba,” said 21-year-old Xavier Alexander Rodríguez, a students of computer science. |
| “Young people in Cuba want change. The closer ties with the US are a great step towards that. I wish that we can walk like brothers with the US.” | “Young people in Cuba want change. The closer ties with the US are a great step towards that. I wish that we can walk like brothers with the US.” |
| Vivian Rodríguez (no relation), a 23-year-old lecturer in psychology at the University of Havana, said international support and a positive message were important for people like her who want to stay in Cuba. | Vivian Rodríguez (no relation), a 23-year-old lecturer in psychology at the University of Havana, said international support and a positive message were important for people like her who want to stay in Cuba. |
| “Cubans are very excited by the arrival of the pope. We’re grateful for the help he has given us in relations with other countries,” she said. “It’s always good to know that there is backing for unity in Cuba and closer ties with the United States. That helps people make personal decisions (about whether to stay or go).” | “Cubans are very excited by the arrival of the pope. We’re grateful for the help he has given us in relations with other countries,” she said. “It’s always good to know that there is backing for unity in Cuba and closer ties with the United States. That helps people make personal decisions (about whether to stay or go).” |
| 12.07am BST | |
| 00:07 | |
| Among the world leaders visiting Cuba for the papal visit is Argentina’s President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who attended this morning’s mass in La Plaza de la Revolución writes Angela Bruno. | |
| #LaFoto | Presidenta Cristina Fernández durante Santa Misa oficiada por el papa Francisco en La Habana #ElPapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/bOuLKajRNN | |
| Some Twitter users have raised their eyebrows at la presidenta’s expensive tastes – she arrived yesterday at Havana’s José Martí Airport sporting a Hermès bag which can cost up to at $22,000. | |
| Such a display of wealth seems somewhat at odds with the Pope’s message: he has repeatedly criticised excessive consumption, warning in his homily this evening that “wealth makes us poor.” | |
| Para @Pontifex_es Cristina Kirchner se bajó del avión en Cuba con una cartera Hermes de 22000 dólares. Super Nac&Pop pic.twitter.com/2EtvC8yoWG | |
| The Pope and Kirchner have had their share of differences. Guardian correspondent Stephanie Kirchgaessner spoke to their once-rocky relationship in her coverage of the Pope’s trip to Latin America during the summer: | |
| There was bad blood between them when Francis was still known as Father Jorge Bergoglio, archbishop of Buenos Aires and a fierce critic of corruption in Argentinian politics. | |
| The icy relationship worsened after Fernández passed a law legalising same-sex marriage in Argentina in 2010 when Bergoglio headed a march against the gay marriage bill. | |
| ‘Pity there is no ‘popess’; if not, I could compete for the post,’ Fernández said when she heard that Bergoglio had become pope. | |
| Since then, however, the two have managed to improve their relationship: Relations have seemingly warmed and Fernández has become a frequent visitor at the Vatican. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.08am BST | |
| 11.52pm BST | 11.52pm BST |
| 23:52 | 23:52 |
| Another update from my colleague Angela Bruno: | Another update from my colleague Angela Bruno: |
| During a brief visit to the Palace of the Revolution earlier this evening, Pope Francis was shown what appeared to be official gifts marking his visit, including a 6.5 foot crucifix of oars crafted by the Cuban artist known as Kcho, nee Alexis Leyva. | During a brief visit to the Palace of the Revolution earlier this evening, Pope Francis was shown what appeared to be official gifts marking his visit, including a 6.5 foot crucifix of oars crafted by the Cuban artist known as Kcho, nee Alexis Leyva. |
| In March, Kcho made international news when he turned his art studio into Cuba’s first free public Wi-Fi hotspot, hoping to encourage Cubans to familiarize themselves with the Internet. It was a costly cause for the artist, who is reported to have close ties to the government. The going rate for one month of Internet service in Cuba is a whopping $900. | In March, Kcho made international news when he turned his art studio into Cuba’s first free public Wi-Fi hotspot, hoping to encourage Cubans to familiarize themselves with the Internet. It was a costly cause for the artist, who is reported to have close ties to the government. The going rate for one month of Internet service in Cuba is a whopping $900. |
| #PapaenCuba Raúl Castro muestra al Papa un Cristo de 2 metros con una cruz hecha de remos pic.twitter.com/cf70FQxn78 | #PapaenCuba Raúl Castro muestra al Papa un Cristo de 2 metros con una cruz hecha de remos pic.twitter.com/cf70FQxn78 |
| 11.46pm BST | 11.46pm BST |
| 23:46 | 23:46 |
| Pope Francis gives 'unplugged' homily on poverty and disability | Pope Francis gives 'unplugged' homily on poverty and disability |
| Pope Francis put his prepared homily aside and gave an extraordinary “unplugged” address on poverty, mercy, disability and service to Cuba’s priests, religious brothers and sisters and seminarians, during a Vespers service at Havana Cathedral. | Pope Francis put his prepared homily aside and gave an extraordinary “unplugged” address on poverty, mercy, disability and service to Cuba’s priests, religious brothers and sisters and seminarians, during a Vespers service at Havana Cathedral. |
| “We always try to curtail poverty, as it were,” the pope said. “That’s a reasonable thing, but I’m talking about the heart.” | “We always try to curtail poverty, as it were,” the pope said. “That’s a reasonable thing, but I’m talking about the heart.” |
| “Richness impoverishes you; it takes away from us the best we have. It makes us poor in the only richness which is worthy: trust in God.” | “Richness impoverishes you; it takes away from us the best we have. It makes us poor in the only richness which is worthy: trust in God.” |
| “Our holy mother church is poor. God wishes it to poor, as he wishes our holy mother Mary to be poor. Love poverty as a mother.” | “Our holy mother church is poor. God wishes it to poor, as he wishes our holy mother Mary to be poor. Love poverty as a mother.” |
| The crowd smiled and some wiped away tears as the pontiff spoke. Cameras also caught some looks of consternation as the congregation grappled with Francis’s words, especially when he (jokingly) drilled in on the struggles of some religious and priests. | The crowd smiled and some wiped away tears as the pontiff spoke. Cameras also caught some looks of consternation as the congregation grappled with Francis’s words, especially when he (jokingly) drilled in on the struggles of some religious and priests. |
| Nuns got it first: “May God spare us grey nuns, those who are always lamenting things! Saint Theresa used to say that to her nuns. Woe to that nun!” | Nuns got it first: “May God spare us grey nuns, those who are always lamenting things! Saint Theresa used to say that to her nuns. Woe to that nun!” |
| Some nuns in the crowd (mainly the young ones) laughed. Others weren’t so amused. | Some nuns in the crowd (mainly the young ones) laughed. Others weren’t so amused. |
| Religious life as a consecrated brother or sister is, the pope said, about “burning” your life for the ones the world despises, the “disposable material” of humanity. | Religious life as a consecrated brother or sister is, the pope said, about “burning” your life for the ones the world despises, the “disposable material” of humanity. |
| As an example, he mentioned those “who with new analytical methods, if it is discovered they have a degenerative sickness, the world wants to send them back before they are born”. | As an example, he mentioned those “who with new analytical methods, if it is discovered they have a degenerative sickness, the world wants to send them back before they are born”. |
| “Sometimes [a young religious sister] doesn’t know how good it is to see the smile of someone who is paralysed,” the pope said, smiling. | “Sometimes [a young religious sister] doesn’t know how good it is to see the smile of someone who is paralysed,” the pope said, smiling. |
| “The tenderness and mercy of God is like someone who is paralysed getting saliva all over your face. Or when a person with a disability gets angry and hits you!” | “The tenderness and mercy of God is like someone who is paralysed getting saliva all over your face. Or when a person with a disability gets angry and hits you!” |
| Priests were next: “Please to the priests,” the holy father said, “do not grow tired of forgiving.” | Priests were next: “Please to the priests,” the holy father said, “do not grow tired of forgiving.” |
| “Do not hide in fears or rigidities. Be like this nun [Sister Ponce, who spoke earlier in the service about her ministry], and those who are here. They are not angry when they find the sick person filthy; they just clean him. When the penitent comes to you, don’t feel bad. Don’t be neurotic. Jesus embraced them. Jesus loved them.” | “Do not hide in fears or rigidities. Be like this nun [Sister Ponce, who spoke earlier in the service about her ministry], and those who are here. They are not angry when they find the sick person filthy; they just clean him. When the penitent comes to you, don’t feel bad. Don’t be neurotic. Jesus embraced them. Jesus loved them.” |
| “No corporation can be made, no money can be made from the least ones. In that place Jesus shines brightly,” the pope said. | “No corporation can be made, no money can be made from the least ones. In that place Jesus shines brightly,” the pope said. |
| 11.10pm BST | 11.10pm BST |
| 23:10 | 23:10 |
| The pope says he will give his printed homily to one of the cardinals to distribute and is going to speak off the cuff. This regular journalist quietly screams. Thanks, Frank. | The pope says he will give his printed homily to one of the cardinals to distribute and is going to speak off the cuff. This regular journalist quietly screams. Thanks, Frank. |
| 11.07pm BST | 11.07pm BST |
| 23:07 | 23:07 |
| The chanted psalms are sung beautifully by a choir. The pope is saving his voice, by the look of it. | The chanted psalms are sung beautifully by a choir. The pope is saving his voice, by the look of it. |
| Just a little church fact you might find interesting: the Catholic church’s communal prayer is the same around the world each day. I heard the same readings at mass this morning in New York as the pope heard in Havana, and in every other parish in the world. | Just a little church fact you might find interesting: the Catholic church’s communal prayer is the same around the world each day. I heard the same readings at mass this morning in New York as the pope heard in Havana, and in every other parish in the world. |
| In a sense, it’s like the church prays for you. That’s especially true of what’s called the Divine Office, the daily schedule of prayer, because few lay people perform it. Here’s the relevant bit for this particular service. | In a sense, it’s like the church prays for you. That’s especially true of what’s called the Divine Office, the daily schedule of prayer, because few lay people perform it. Here’s the relevant bit for this particular service. |
| 10.52pm BST | 10.52pm BST |
| 22:52 | 22:52 |
| A Daughter of Charity, Sr Yaileny Ponce, speaks to the pope. She is is pouring her heart out about her ministry with the severely disabled. “I have to discern in a shout or a cry or a scream: Joy? Or pain?” | A Daughter of Charity, Sr Yaileny Ponce, speaks to the pope. She is is pouring her heart out about her ministry with the severely disabled. “I have to discern in a shout or a cry or a scream: Joy? Or pain?” |
| “[It’s] beautiful because there, in his weakest children, God lives and shows himself.” | “[It’s] beautiful because there, in his weakest children, God lives and shows himself.” |
| “It is worth giving your life to serve these people because in them you find the kingdom of God.” | “It is worth giving your life to serve these people because in them you find the kingdom of God.” |
| The congregation applauds her, and the pope begins the formal liturgical element of the service. | The congregation applauds her, and the pope begins the formal liturgical element of the service. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.55pm BST | at 10.55pm BST |
| 10.45pm BST | 10.45pm BST |
| 22:45 | 22:45 |
| Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Havana. You can follow it live at http://t.co/9Tp2t5Du8l #PapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/X73DAopq8d | Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Havana. You can follow it live at http://t.co/9Tp2t5Du8l #PapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/X73DAopq8d |
| The Archbishop of Havana, Jaime Lucas Ortega, prays for renewal in the church. This feels like more of an internally-focused service for the church itself. | The Archbishop of Havana, Jaime Lucas Ortega, prays for renewal in the church. This feels like more of an internally-focused service for the church itself. |
| 10.43pm BST | 10.43pm BST |
| 22:43 | 22:43 |
| Francis arrives at the Cathedral of Havana to applause and cheers. Religious sisters and priests are kissing his ring. It looks really hot in there. You can tune in here if you’d like to watch. | Francis arrives at the Cathedral of Havana to applause and cheers. Religious sisters and priests are kissing his ring. It looks really hot in there. You can tune in here if you’d like to watch. |
| 10.39pm BST | 10.39pm BST |
| 22:39 | 22:39 |
| Some video of activists at this morning’s mass is floating around online now | Some video of activists at this morning’s mass is floating around online now |
| Video of activists detained in Plaza this am shows moment when man grabs Popemobile. Looks a bit threatening, really https://t.co/cPN0Ow6DtY | Video of activists detained in Plaza this am shows moment when man grabs Popemobile. Looks a bit threatening, really https://t.co/cPN0Ow6DtY |
| 10.38pm BST | 10.38pm BST |
| 22:38 | 22:38 |
| While we wait for the Pope to celebrate Vespers (evening prayer), internet Jesuit Fr James Martin has been pointing out a few howlers under the #PapalGoofs hashtag. | While we wait for the Pope to celebrate Vespers (evening prayer), internet Jesuit Fr James Martin has been pointing out a few howlers under the #PapalGoofs hashtag. |
| To all media: At Mass the Pope wears liturgical colors of the day. E.g., green is Ordinary Time. Not an environmental message. #PapalGoofs. | To all media: At Mass the Pope wears liturgical colors of the day. E.g., green is Ordinary Time. Not an environmental message. #PapalGoofs. |
| To all media: The Pope is not "selecting" a Gospel reading. As priests do, he's using the Gospel reading for the day. #PopeinUS #PapalGoofs | To all media: The Pope is not "selecting" a Gospel reading. As priests do, he's using the Gospel reading for the day. #PopeinUS #PapalGoofs |
| 10.25pm BST | 10.25pm BST |
| 22:25 | 22:25 |
| Here’s a striking image via the Associate Press Instagram feed – a Cuban woman holds an image of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. | Here’s a striking image via the Associate Press Instagram feed – a Cuban woman holds an image of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 2.15pm BST | at 2.15pm BST |
| 10.20pm BST | 10.20pm BST |
| 22:20 | 22:20 |
| Pope Francis makes an unscheduled stop off at Havana’s Jesuit parish on his way to Vespers with the priests and religious of Cuba. | Pope Francis makes an unscheduled stop off at Havana’s Jesuit parish on his way to Vespers with the priests and religious of Cuba. |
| .@Pontifex making unscheduled stop off pope-mobile to greet members of Havana's Jesuit parish. Shook hands with Cuban Jesuit provincial. | .@Pontifex making unscheduled stop off pope-mobile to greet members of Havana's Jesuit parish. Shook hands with Cuban Jesuit provincial. |
| .@Pontifex leaving popemobile to enter Havana's Jesuit parish #PapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/1WLvoSbbcW | .@Pontifex leaving popemobile to enter Havana's Jesuit parish #PapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/1WLvoSbbcW |
| Parishioners at Jesuit parish @Pontifex is visiting filled a cork board with messages to him. #PapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/2zTls4Tuso | Parishioners at Jesuit parish @Pontifex is visiting filled a cork board with messages to him. #PapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/2zTls4Tuso |
| When he arrives at the cathedral, he is rumored to be preparing to meet dissidents, Vatican insiders report: | When he arrives at the cathedral, he is rumored to be preparing to meet dissidents, Vatican insiders report: |
| 1/2 Various sources saying that two dissidents arrested yesterday to prevent them meeting @Pontifex will meet him today at the Cathedral. | 1/2 Various sources saying that two dissidents arrested yesterday to prevent them meeting @Pontifex will meet him today at the Cathedral. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.25pm BST | at 10.25pm BST |
| 9.50pm BST | 9.50pm BST |
| 21:50 | 21:50 |
| The Cuban ministry of foreign affairs has compiled a gallery of previous papal visits, Angela Bruno writes, including snaps of Fidel Castro and Pope John Paul II in 1998, new shots of Pope Francis and Raul Castro, and more showing the preparations that went into this historic visit. The minstry’s own Flickr Photostream is worth keeping an eye on. | The Cuban ministry of foreign affairs has compiled a gallery of previous papal visits, Angela Bruno writes, including snaps of Fidel Castro and Pope John Paul II in 1998, new shots of Pope Francis and Raul Castro, and more showing the preparations that went into this historic visit. The minstry’s own Flickr Photostream is worth keeping an eye on. |
| Visite nuestra colección #fotos de las visitas papales a #Cuba http://t.co/hyXLF0JF43 #ElPapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/SiEgAOJVu9 | Visite nuestra colección #fotos de las visitas papales a #Cuba http://t.co/hyXLF0JF43 #ElPapaEnCuba pic.twitter.com/SiEgAOJVu9 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 9.51pm BST | at 9.51pm BST |
| 9.41pm BST | 9.41pm BST |
| 21:41 | 21:41 |
| Photos of Fidel Castro meeting each of 3 popes: JPII, Benedict XVI, and Francis. #PapaEnCuba https://t.co/ihr3j1Y6eD | Photos of Fidel Castro meeting each of 3 popes: JPII, Benedict XVI, and Francis. #PapaEnCuba https://t.co/ihr3j1Y6eD |
| 9.30pm BST | 9.30pm BST |
| 21:30 | 21:30 |
| Stephanie Kirchgaessner | Stephanie Kirchgaessner |
| More from Stephanie Kirchgaessner on the significance of the gifts given to Fidel Castro: | More from Stephanie Kirchgaessner on the significance of the gifts given to Fidel Castro: |
| The gift of Llorente’s book would likely have particular significance for Castro. Llorente was the revolutionary leader’s teacher at the Colegio de Belen in 1940s but left the country in 1961. He died in Miami in 2010, at the age of 91. | The gift of Llorente’s book would likely have particular significance for Castro. Llorente was the revolutionary leader’s teacher at the Colegio de Belen in 1940s but left the country in 1961. He died in Miami in 2010, at the age of 91. |
| According to a 2006 interview with Llorente in the Miami Herald, the Jesuit recalled how a teenage Fidel, whose father Angel was largely absent from his life, once confided in him “I have no family other than you”. He was apparently referring to the Jesuit priests who were educating him. | According to a 2006 interview with Llorente in the Miami Herald, the Jesuit recalled how a teenage Fidel, whose father Angel was largely absent from his life, once confided in him “I have no family other than you”. He was apparently referring to the Jesuit priests who were educating him. |
| Llorente also recalled visiting Castro’s guerrilla camp in 1958, when the Batista government was close to falling. “I went because the Vatican needed to know what was happening. Was the revolution Fidel was leading nationalist, or Marxist, or what?” the priest said, according to the report. | Llorente also recalled visiting Castro’s guerrilla camp in 1958, when the Batista government was close to falling. “I went because the Vatican needed to know what was happening. Was the revolution Fidel was leading nationalist, or Marxist, or what?” the priest said, according to the report. |
| He added: “I spent four days at Fidel’s headquarters. I asked him about Cuba’s future, especially regarding the Catholic Church. He professed to have no problem and said, for example, that he would need to keep the Catholic Saint Thomas University so that it could train the engineers that Cuba needed so badly.’’ | He added: “I spent four days at Fidel’s headquarters. I asked him about Cuba’s future, especially regarding the Catholic Church. He professed to have no problem and said, for example, that he would need to keep the Catholic Saint Thomas University so that it could train the engineers that Cuba needed so badly.’’ |
| 9.23pm BST | 9.23pm BST |
| 21:23 | 21:23 |
| Guardian contributor Anita Chabria checks in again from San Francisco: | Guardian contributor Anita Chabria checks in again from San Francisco: |
| The pink-walled chapel of St Peter’s Cathedral in the Latino neighborhood of San Francisco is full but hushed, as pilgrims await the arrival of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. The Spanish-speaking faithful are here to honor more than 100 parishioners heading east to Washington DC on Tuesday, where they’ll witness the canonization of Junipero Serra, father of California’s Catholic mission system | The pink-walled chapel of St Peter’s Cathedral in the Latino neighborhood of San Francisco is full but hushed, as pilgrims await the arrival of Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone. The Spanish-speaking faithful are here to honor more than 100 parishioners heading east to Washington DC on Tuesday, where they’ll witness the canonization of Junipero Serra, father of California’s Catholic mission system |
| Serra is a controversial figure who is credited for spreading the faith in this state, but whom many Native Americans say bears responsibility for the thousands of their ancestors who died in those missions. But for those included in the journey to see his sainthood, it’s exciting to be a part of this papal visit to the United States. | Serra is a controversial figure who is credited for spreading the faith in this state, but whom many Native Americans say bears responsibility for the thousands of their ancestors who died in those missions. But for those included in the journey to see his sainthood, it’s exciting to be a part of this papal visit to the United States. |
| “It will be fun,” says Hortencia Angotti, here with her daughter and mother, who is going with other members of her family.When its his turn to speak, Cordileone leaves his chair on the dias and walks down the stairs in his long green robes to address the congregation up close. Hs manner is conversational, he gesticulates to punctuate his speech, his Spanish easy and fluent. | “It will be fun,” says Hortencia Angotti, here with her daughter and mother, who is going with other members of her family.When its his turn to speak, Cordileone leaves his chair on the dias and walks down the stairs in his long green robes to address the congregation up close. Hs manner is conversational, he gesticulates to punctuate his speech, his Spanish easy and fluent. |
| He has preached mass here numerous times, and is described as humble and straightforward. Across town in the more affluent enclaves he is often seen as overly conservative and unwelcoming of diversity within the church. | He has preached mass here numerous times, and is described as humble and straightforward. Across town in the more affluent enclaves he is often seen as overly conservative and unwelcoming of diversity within the church. |
| “I think [the archbishop] likes it here,” says Oscar Avila, who has been a member of this congregation since he was 10 years old. | “I think [the archbishop] likes it here,” says Oscar Avila, who has been a member of this congregation since he was 10 years old. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.26pm BST | at 10.26pm BST |
| 9.17pm BST | 9.17pm BST |
| 21:17 | 21:17 |
| Some more shots of the pope with Raúl Castro. | Some more shots of the pope with Raúl Castro. |
| LIVE: @Pontifex walking w/Castro in CUBA. #PopeinUS http://t.co/cyR71SuVyo Time Warner 97, Cablevision 30 #PopeInUSA pic.twitter.com/qtLVoEx13R | LIVE: @Pontifex walking w/Castro in CUBA. #PopeinUS http://t.co/cyR71SuVyo Time Warner 97, Cablevision 30 #PopeInUSA pic.twitter.com/qtLVoEx13R |
| 9.15pm BST | 9.15pm BST |
| 21:15 | 21:15 |
| Pope Francis has met President Raúl Castro at the Revolution Palace. I’m watching the stream on EWTN Catholic news and the commentators think this scene of the two looks more like a confession than a state visit. I’ll leave that judgment up to you (apologies for the grainy screenshot). | Pope Francis has met President Raúl Castro at the Revolution Palace. I’m watching the stream on EWTN Catholic news and the commentators think this scene of the two looks more like a confession than a state visit. I’ll leave that judgment up to you (apologies for the grainy screenshot). |
| 9.06pm BST | 9.06pm BST |
| 21:06 | 21:06 |
| More from my colleague Angela Bruno: | More from my colleague Angela Bruno: |
| According to the Pope’s biographer Austen Ivereigh, the last line of the Pontiff’s homily this morning – “Whoever does not live to serve, does not ‘serve’ to live” – is a nod to Mother Teresa, who made visited Cuba in 1986 . | According to the Pope’s biographer Austen Ivereigh, the last line of the Pontiff’s homily this morning – “Whoever does not live to serve, does not ‘serve’ to live” – is a nod to Mother Teresa, who made visited Cuba in 1986 . |
| Pope's final line about living to serve is a quote from Mother Teresa, whose image is above the sanctuary. H/t @camarajavier | Pope's final line about living to serve is a quote from Mother Teresa, whose image is above the sanctuary. H/t @camarajavier |
| In an unscheduled meeting with Fidel Castro, the Albanian nun, persuaded him to allow the Missionary Sisters of Charity to establish a mission in Cuba. | In an unscheduled meeting with Fidel Castro, the Albanian nun, persuaded him to allow the Missionary Sisters of Charity to establish a mission in Cuba. |
| Pope John Paul II’s in 1998 ultimately resulted in Christmas and Good Friday being declared public holidays in Cuba again. | Pope John Paul II’s in 1998 ultimately resulted in Christmas and Good Friday being declared public holidays in Cuba again. |
| 9.06pm BST | 9.06pm BST |
| 21:06 | 21:06 |
| Detained activists claim 'repressive, aggressive operation' stopped their attendance | Detained activists claim 'repressive, aggressive operation' stopped their attendance |
| Jonathan Watts | Jonathan Watts |
| From Havana, Jon Watts: | From Havana, Jon Watts: |
| I just spoke to Angel Moya, a prominent activist who said at least 31 people were detained this morning to prevent them from attending the pope’s mass. | I just spoke to Angel Moya, a prominent activist who said at least 31 people were detained this morning to prevent them from attending the pope’s mass. |
| “They are the ones we know of, but we are still counting,” he said. | “They are the ones we know of, but we are still counting,” he said. |
| Moya was among them. After being held in a police station from 5am to 11:30, he said he was picked up along with his wife, Berta Soler – the leader of the Damas do Blanco (Ladies in White) group that campaigns for prisoner releases. | Moya was among them. After being held in a police station from 5am to 11:30, he said he was picked up along with his wife, Berta Soler – the leader of the Damas do Blanco (Ladies in White) group that campaigns for prisoner releases. |
| With more than 20 other activists from the group who were gathered ahead of their planned journey to Revolution Square, when the police moved in with what he described as a “repressive, aggressive operation that was specifically targeted to prevent us from attending the public mass.” | With more than 20 other activists from the group who were gathered ahead of their planned journey to Revolution Square, when the police moved in with what he described as a “repressive, aggressive operation that was specifically targeted to prevent us from attending the public mass.” |
| His said his wife had also been detained the previous evening on her way to the Vatican embassy, where the pope is lodging during his stay in Havana. He said she had been invited by the church authorities. | His said his wife had also been detained the previous evening on her way to the Vatican embassy, where the pope is lodging during his stay in Havana. He said she had been invited by the church authorities. |
| Moya – who was imprisoned for eight years – expressed disappointment that pope Francis has ignored the state’s actions, unlike his predecessor John Paul II who visited in 1998. | Moya – who was imprisoned for eight years – expressed disappointment that pope Francis has ignored the state’s actions, unlike his predecessor John Paul II who visited in 1998. |
| “John Paul spoke out clearly, but the current pope is too soft with regards to human rights. Cubans have a harsh life, but he has not been categorical enough when talking about civil liberties. He must have known what happened to us, but he didn’t address the issue.” | “John Paul spoke out clearly, but the current pope is too soft with regards to human rights. Cubans have a harsh life, but he has not been categorical enough when talking about civil liberties. He must have known what happened to us, but he didn’t address the issue.” |
| He said the group had no further actions planned during the pope’s visit, but they would continue their campaign. | He said the group had no further actions planned during the pope’s visit, but they would continue their campaign. |
| “We’ll defend our rights with or without the pope. He is no liberator. It is up to Cubans to struggle for our liberty.” | “We’ll defend our rights with or without the pope. He is no liberator. It is up to Cubans to struggle for our liberty.” |
| 8.41pm BST | 8.41pm BST |
| 20:41 | 20:41 |
| From Guardian contributor Anita Chabria in San Francisco: | From Guardian contributor Anita Chabria in San Francisco: |
| The Immaculate Conception de Nicaragua (the national patroness of Nicaragua) being set up in preparation for a special mass by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at Saint Peter’s in the mission, a Latino working class church in a neighborhood that has so far escaped gentrification. | The Immaculate Conception de Nicaragua (the national patroness of Nicaragua) being set up in preparation for a special mass by San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone at Saint Peter’s in the mission, a Latino working class church in a neighborhood that has so far escaped gentrification. |
| Archbishop Cordileone will bless the congregation going east this week for the canonization of Junipero Serra on Wednesday. | Archbishop Cordileone will bless the congregation going east this week for the canonization of Junipero Serra on Wednesday. |
| The canonization is controversial for Native Americans, some of whom have compared the colonial-era frontier priest to Hitler and the conquistadors. | The canonization is controversial for Native Americans, some of whom have compared the colonial-era frontier priest to Hitler and the conquistadors. |
| Cordileone is a divisive figure too. High-profile Catholics in his archdiocese placed a full-page advertisement calling for the pope to remove him, after his hardline views allegedly “fostered an atmosphere of division and intolerance”. | Cordileone is a divisive figure too. High-profile Catholics in his archdiocese placed a full-page advertisement calling for the pope to remove him, after his hardline views allegedly “fostered an atmosphere of division and intolerance”. |
| And here are the pilgrims: | And here are the pilgrims: |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 8.51pm BST | at 8.51pm BST |
| 8.32pm BST | 8.32pm BST |
| 20:32 | 20:32 |
| More pope emojis ... this time in .gif form | More pope emojis ... this time in .gif form |
| Checkout the Popemojis! #popemoji #PopeinDC #GoodIsWinning #popefrancis #love #emoji #cute #swyftmedia @PopeIsHope pic.twitter.com/BOHhF1o2JC | Checkout the Popemojis! #popemoji #PopeinDC #GoodIsWinning #popefrancis #love #emoji #cute #swyftmedia @PopeIsHope pic.twitter.com/BOHhF1o2JC |