Papal speech to diplomats: US Ambassador on Cuba, Guantanamo, Paris

(Vatican Radio)  U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See Kenneth Hackett says “a lot of progress” has been made in the normalization of ties between the United States and Cuba and confirms that the White House wants to close down Guantanamo Bay prison – a prospect which Hackett says would be “wonderful” ahead of Pope Francis’ U.S. trip this coming September.

Ambassador Hackett spoke to Tracey McClure just after listening to Pope Francis’ New Year’s address to members of the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See.  During that address, Pope Francis spoke of how dialogue can build bridges and cited “one example close to [his] heart” as being the rapprochement between Washington and Havana.

Listen to part I of Tracey McClure’s two-part interview with Ambassador Hackett:

Regarding the normalization of ties, “He said ‘something close to my heart,’” chuckles Ambassador Hackett in the interview.  “That was very, very special.  It was an element I gather that was discussed between President Obama and the Holy Father when they were here [in the Vatican] and then as we all know now, the process was underway and President Obama said it quite clearly: he wanted to change that [old policy].  He said ‘that policy has been around since I was in high school,’ and so when the Holy Father stepped in and gave encouragement and support, well that was just the icing on the cake. The same way the Holy Father today spoke about the hope for closing Guantanamo – well, President Obama is hopeful of doing that as well.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could make greater progress on closing Guantanamo before the Pope arrives in the State in September.  That would be terrific.  And I know that the White House would like to do that."

High level talks between U.S. and Cuban government officials are due to take place in Havana later this month.  Asked what progress has been made in relations so far, Ambassador Hackett says “A lot of progress.  First of all, attitudes have changed: one, this kind of discussion about the release of prisoners came to fruition.  Now I understand…that just recently there have been a number of other detainees released in Cuba. This is what we as a government want to happen: that there be visible signs of liberties in that country.  Then the investments are going to start and the embargo being lifted.  I’ve been to Cuba a number of times and its potential, the potential of its people, is enormous.  Once the lid is lifted off the pot, we are going to see some wonderful things flow.”

Paris rally condemns terrorism, expresses unity

The papal speech followed Sunday’s massive rally in Paris where demonstrators turned out in a sign of unity to condemn last week’s terror attacks in France.  Similar demonstrations were held in cities across the globe. Asked what will it take to keep the message of unity and the momentum going, Ambassador Hackett says “a change of heart, in a way and that’s what [the Pope] called for.  And if we can highlight those positive elements of people standing shoulder to shoulder, arm in arm, against the horrors that are perpetrated by only a few, that will give young people - and everybody else - hope that there can be a better day.”