(Patrizia Caiffa, SIR correspondent from Cuba) – “I think the Holy Father welcomed cardinal Ortega’s invitation to come to Cuba. In 2005 I too had given the Pope the invitation of the president of the Cuban nation. I hope the Holy Father will visit Cuba in the future “: these are the words spoken off the cuff in Spanish by card. Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State of the Holy See, in his sermon during the Eucharistic celebration in front the cathedral of Havana last night. Just before, in his opening address card. Jaime Ortega y Alamino, archbishop of Havana, had said: “I hope the visit of these days may be a good omen for a visit by our beloved Benedict XVI”. Both wishes were received by endless applause from the square (about 3,000 people), full of devotees, nuns, priests and delegates of other Christian religions and the Cuban authorities. Among the crowd, placards could be seen with the same invitation written on them: “Cuba espera a Benedicto XVI”, or recalling the words that John Paul II had said ten years ago: “No tengan miedo, abran sus corazones a Cristo”. (continued)
