Pope Francis congratulates US and Cuba on historic act
U.S. and Cuba set to open talks on normalizing diplomatic relations after more than 50 years of diplomatic silence
VATICAN CITY
Pope Francis congratulated the U.S. and Cuba on Wednesday for their decision to normalize full diplomatic relations, according to a written statement from the Vatican Secretary of State on behalf of the Pope.
The U.S. and Cuba are set to open talks on normalizing full diplomatic relations, including easing economic and travel bans, after more than 50 years of diplomatic silence.
The statement said the Pope had sent letters to U.S. and Cuban leaders to facilitate a constructive dialogue between the two countries.
The Vatican will continue to provide its support to advance relations between the two countries, the statement added.
President Barack Obama spoke with Cuban President Raul Castro Tuesday about the issue for more than 45 minutes, according to senior administration officials, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.
It was the first such call between U.S. and Cuban leaders since relations were severed in 1961, and the U.S. imposed an embargo on Cuba.
The announcement follows the release of American Alan Gross, 65, from a Cuban prison, where he was held for five years. Cuban authorities released him on humanitarian grounds.
Gross' release followed secret negotiations in Canada and the Vatican that resulted in a spy swap between the U.S. and Cuba. The secret talks have been ongoing since June 2013.
The swap included the release of three Cuban intelligence assets being held in the U.S., for the release of an unidentified American intelligence asset held in Cuba.
U.S. officials had maintained that Gross’ detention was an impediment to a diplomatic easing between the longtime foes.
