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Pope Francis praises Cuba Church at Holguin mass Pope Francis praises Cuba Church at Holguin mass
(about 4 hours later)
Pope Francis has celebrated mass in front of thousands of people in the eastern Cuban city of Holguin.Pope Francis has celebrated mass in front of thousands of people in the eastern Cuban city of Holguin.
During his homily, he paid tribute to the "efforts" and "sacrifices" the Roman Catholic Church has made in Cuba.During his homily, he paid tribute to the "efforts" and "sacrifices" the Roman Catholic Church has made in Cuba.
Holguin is considered the cradle of Catholicism on the communist island.Holguin is considered the cradle of Catholicism on the communist island.
It is also in the area where Cuban President Raul Castro and his brother Fidel were brought up. They were raised as Catholics but became atheists and led the Socialist Revolution in 1959.It is also in the area where Cuban President Raul Castro and his brother Fidel were brought up. They were raised as Catholics but became atheists and led the Socialist Revolution in 1959.
"I am aware of the efforts and I am aware of the sacrifices the Church in Cuba has carried out to take to all, even in the most remote locations, the word and the presence of Christ," said Pope Francis."I am aware of the efforts and I am aware of the sacrifices the Church in Cuba has carried out to take to all, even in the most remote locations, the word and the presence of Christ," said Pope Francis.
He also renewed his calls for people to embrace change and challenge selfish and materialist principles in society.He also renewed his calls for people to embrace change and challenge selfish and materialist principles in society.
Jesus Christ "invites us slowly to overcome our preconceptions and our reluctance to think that others, much less ourselves, can change," the Pope said.Jesus Christ "invites us slowly to overcome our preconceptions and our reluctance to think that others, much less ourselves, can change," the Pope said.
'Informal and friendly''Informal and friendly'
On Sunday, hundreds of thousands of people attended his first mass in Cuba, in Havana's Revolution Square. After mass in Holguin, Pope Francis travelled further east to Cuba's second largest city, Santiago.
From Holguin, Pope Francis will travel further east later on Monday to Cuba's second largest city, Santiago.
It was there that Fidel Castro announced on 1 January 1959 that his forces had toppled the United States-backed government of Fulgencio Batista.It was there that Fidel Castro announced on 1 January 1959 that his forces had toppled the United States-backed government of Fulgencio Batista.
Fidel remained in power until 2006, when he passed on power to his brother Raul for health reasons.Fidel remained in power until 2006, when he passed on power to his brother Raul for health reasons.
After celebrating mass in Havana on Sunday, Pope Francis he went to a meeting with Fidel Castro at his home in Havana. After celebrating mass before hundreds of thousands of people in Havana on Sunday, Pope Francis he went to a meeting with Fidel Castro at his home in Havana.
The two men discussed world affairs and religion, in what the Vatican called an "informal and friendly" 40-minute encounter.The two men discussed world affairs and religion, in what the Vatican called an "informal and friendly" 40-minute encounter.
The Pope gave him several books, including one on the writings of a Jesuit priest who taught Mr Castro in school more than 70 years ago and had to flee the island after the Cuban Revolution.The Pope gave him several books, including one on the writings of a Jesuit priest who taught Mr Castro in school more than 70 years ago and had to flee the island after the Cuban Revolution.
Mr Castro reciprocated with a book of his own interviews with a left-wing Brazilian priest. The book is called Fidel and Religion.Mr Castro reciprocated with a book of his own interviews with a left-wing Brazilian priest. The book is called Fidel and Religion.
This is the first visit by the Argentinian-born Pope to Cuba since he became pontiff in 2013.This is the first visit by the Argentinian-born Pope to Cuba since he became pontiff in 2013.
Both his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, visited the island during their papacy.Both his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, visited the island during their papacy.
The Pope's tour will take him to the United States on Tuesday.The Pope's tour will take him to the United States on Tuesday.
He has been credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US.He has been credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic ties between Cuba and the US.
He has hailed improving ties between the two countries as "an example of reconciliation for the whole world".He has hailed improving ties between the two countries as "an example of reconciliation for the whole world".
But he also urged both Cuba and the US to "persevere on the path" of detente.But he also urged both Cuba and the US to "persevere on the path" of detente.