Cardinal Parolin meets with Cuban Vice President

(Vatican Radio) The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Sunday met with the First Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

A statement was released saying the two men discussed the good relations between Cuba and the Holy See, and spoke about issues of international concern.

After the meeting, the head of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, said they also spoke about “reconciliation” within Cuban society.

Father Lombardi said appreciation was shown “for steps taken in this direction, such as the pardon [of thousands of prisoners by President Castro], and encouragement was given for other steps taken in this path of reconciliation among Cubans."

Father Lombardi said the two men spoke about the “regional considerations with regard to the international situation,” and in particular they spoke about Venezuela and “the need for dialogue in that country.” 

Accompanying Cardinal Parolin were: Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Substitute for General Affairs at the Secretariat of State; Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States; and Archbishop Giorgio Lingua, Apostolic Nuncio to Cuba. On the Cuban side, Vice President Diaz-Canel was joined by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla and the Ambassador to the Holy See, Rodney Lopez Clemente.