Pope voices ‘great concern’ over rising Cuba-U.S. tensions

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday voiced “great concern” over news of rising tensions between Cuba and the United States of America, urging leaders to pursue “sincere and effective” dialogue to avoid violence and further suffering for the Cuban people.

His appeal, delivered after he recited the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace, came after Donald Trump’s administration issued an executive order late Thursday intensifying economic pressure on the island, including the possibility of imposing tariffs on countries that supply crude oil to Cuba. The order describes Cuba’s posture toward the U.S. as hostile and calls it a “national threat.”

The pope explicitly aligned himself with an appeal from Cuba’s bishops and called on those responsible to choose dialogue over escalation: “I join the message of the Cuban bishops, inviting all those responsible to promote a sincere and effective dialogue, to avoid violence and any action that could increase the sufferings of the dear Cuban people.”

He then entrusted the Cuban people to the patroness of the island: “May the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre assist and protect all the children of that beloved land!”

Beatitudes as God’s lights ‘in the half-light of history’

Earlier in his Angelus reflection, the pope focused on the Gospel Beatitudes, calling them “lights that the Lord kindles in the half-light of history,” revealing God’s saving plan carried out through Christ “by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

He said Christ gives the disciples a “new law” written in hearts rather than on stone — one that “renews our life and makes it good, even when to the world it seems failed and wretched.” Only God, he said, can truly call the poor and afflicted blessed, satisfy those who seek peace and justice, and give joy to the meek, merciful, and pure of heart.

“In persecution, God is the source of redemption; in falsehood, he is the anchor of truth,” the pope said, adding that Jesus therefore proclaims: “Rejoice and be glad!”

Prayers for disaster victims, peace appeal ahead of Olympics

After the Angelus, the pope said he was praying for victims of a landslide at a mine in North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He asked for prayers as well for the dead and those suffering due to storms that recently struck Portugal and southern Italy, and he noted the severe flooding affecting Mozambique.

Marking Italy’s National Day of Civilian Victims of Wars and Conflicts in the World, the pope lamented the ongoing toll of armed actions that violate morality and law, and said victims will be truly honored when this “intolerable injustice” ends.

Looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics, Leo offered good wishes to organizers and athletes and expressed hope that the ancient Olympic truce tradition might prompt “concrete gestures of détente and dialogue” by those in authority.

This story was first published in two parts by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.