CUBA: In Havana, All Roads Lead to the Pope

By Dalia Acosta Reprint | | Print |

Dalia Acosta and Silvio Hernandez

HAVANA, Jan 25 1998 (IPS) - Even for the Cuban capital, a city used to massive gatherings, the crowd that honoured John Paul II Sunday was unusual, as much as the Pope’s sermon, in which he condemned both savage capitalism and communism.

“This is the time to undertake the new roads demanded by the times of renewal we live in,” John Paul said in the massive mass held on “Jose Marti” Revolution square, which put an end to his five-day visit to Cuba.

The mass was also attended by Cuban president Fidel Castro and most of the country’s communist leadership.

“A modern state cannot make of atheism or religion a political order,” the Pope said to a crowd estimated by the state Cuban television to be at one million.

“For most of current economic and political systems the main challenge still is to bring together freedom and social justice, freedom and solidarity, with none being ostracized,” he said, without ever mentioning the words “socialism” or “communism.”

He also assailed “neoliberal capitalism” which “subordinates human beings and peoples’ development to blind market forces, burdening less-favoured countries with unbearable loads from (the world’s) power centers.”

In order to gain access to financial assistance “nations are imposed unsustainable economic programms,” which lead to the “exaggerate enrichment of a few at the cost of greater impoverishment of many,” the Pope added, in reference to the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank’s adjustment policies.

The homily was repeatedly interrupted by applause and chants, especially enthusiastic when he referred to political rights and economic inequalities.

Huge columns of Havana residents as well as trucks and buses from provinces arrived early into the square, scenario of some of the most dramatic demonstrations of the Cuban revolution since the guerrilla army led by Fidel Castro seized power in January 1, 1959.

When asked by IPS for their motivation to be there, “to be witness of history,” “faith,” “the progress of Cuba,” “curiosity,” “change” were among the attenders’ answers.

As a signal of the new times arriving to Cuba, the square was surrounded by self-styled street vendors displaying sandwiches, nuts and soft drinks, private economic initiatives unseen for many years.

Neither is customary the giant image of Jesus Christ behind the Pope’s white altar, surrounded by gray skies and powerful winds (“a symbol of faith.”). Nearby, an equally huge -permanent- portrait of Ernesto Che Guevara and a Cuban flag completed the decoration.

Thousands of Cuban and Vatican flags, as well as some of several Latin American countries’ were waved by the mass attenders, most of whom also wore their best clothes for the historic occasion.

John Paul II hailed the Catholic Church’s Social Doctrine as a valid attempt to “harmonize the unalienable rights of each man with the requirements of society”

“The doctrine of (Cuban independence hero) Jose Marti about love among all men has deep evangelical roots, thus overcoming the false conflict between faith in God and duty to the Fatherland,” he added.

The Pope’s well balanced messages throughout the sermon were clear to the people and leadership of a country in which atheism has long being equalled to ignorance, but to which religious belief, social justice and the ideal of equality still seem to be of outmost importance.

“Cuba has a Christian soul which has led her to have a universal soul,” he asserted.

“Called to overcome isolation, (Cuba) must open herself to the world and the world must in turn get closer to Cuba, her people and children, undoubtedly her most precious wealth.” the Pope said.

During his visit to Cuba, the Pope has repeatedly and strongly called for greater religious and political freedom in the country, but also an end to the economic embargo imposed by the United States in the early sixties (then Cuba’s main economic partner).

The Pope and Castro seem to have found common ground in their criticism of the world’s economic and social inequalities.

Foreign observers have expressed surprise at the friendly courtesy and collaboration lent by Cuban authorities and Castro himself to one of the world’s leading fighters against communism, for a visit in which criticism for the Cuban system has not been spared.