March 28, 2012. (Romereports.com) A rain storm interrupted the pope's farewell in Havana, Cuba, forcing the ceremony to be held inside the José Martí International Airport. There, Benedict XVI gave his final address to the Cuban people.

Raul Castro and other government officials were present and thanked him for visiting the island. The pope called on Cubans to renew efforts to build a better society. He noted that problems must be solved with “patient and sincere dialogue, mutual understanding and a loyal willingness to listen”.


Benedict XVI
“Cuba, look again to the faith of your elders, draw from that faith the strength to build a better future, trust in the Lord’s promises, and open your heart to his Gospel so as to renew authentically your personal and social life.”

Benedict XVI urged Cubans to “build a society of broad vision, renewed and reconciled”. He said no one should have “limited fundamental freedoms” and indirectly mentioned the U.S. embargo on the island.

Benedict XVI
“May no one feel excluded from taking up this exciting task because of limitations of his or her basic freedoms, or excused by indolence or lack of material resources, a situation which is worsened when restrictive economic measures, imposed from outside the country, unfairly burden its people.”

After this three day historic journey to Cuba, Benedict VXI said goodbye with the famous Spanish saying “Hasta Siempre”.

Benedict XVI
“Hasta siempre, Cuba, a land made beautiful by the maternal presence of Mary. May God bless your future.”

This was his second trip to Latin America and one of the most important of his pontificate. It was marked by his petition to Raul Castro to make Good Friday a national holiday and also by his private meeting with Fidel Castro.

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