The Catholic Bishops of Cuba announced on February 12 that they have asked Pope Leo XIV to postpone their upcoming visit to Rome due to the country’s grave situation, which is generating “so much instability and uncertainty.”
The bishops had been scheduled to meet Pope Leo XIV on February 20 as part of their periodic ad limina visit. During such visits, bishops also customarily pray at the four major papal basilicas and meet with various
Vatican dicasteries.
However, in their statement, the bishops’ conference said that “given the worsening socio-economic situation in the country…the Catholic bishops have asked the Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, that the ad limina visit be postponed to a later date than originally planned.”
“We continue praying for our homeland, and we renew our affection and communion with the pope and with the Apostolic See,” they added.
Cuba’s prolonged economic and social crisis has intensified in recent days, particularly after the US government announced on January 29 the imposition of tariffs on countries that send oil to the Caribbean nation, as a way of pressuring the communist regime.
In response, the Cuban government has introduced further restrictions beyond those already faced by the
population.
