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 25 | Version 26 |
|---|---|
| Pope Francis meets Fidel Castro – as it happened | Pope Francis meets Fidel Castro – as it happened |
| (3 months 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).” |
| 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 |