INTRODUCTION

His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, made a historic visit to Cuba from 21 January 1998 through 25 January 1998. The visit was historic not only because it was the first visit of a successor to St. Peter to the nation of Cuba and its people, but also because of the spiritual state of the Church at the end of the Twentieth Century.

The Church in Cuba has suffered immensely since the current regime came to power in 1959. Not only were Church properties confiscated, but it religious personnel were expelled from the island and its faithful were prosecuted. Those who professed the Roman Catholic faith were frequently denied schooling and employment. The Church itself was prohibited from conducting public worship and ceremonies. In 1969, the government went as far as declaring Christmas not to be a public holiday.

It was after 39 years of repression and hostility that His Holiness came to Cuba as Messenger of Peace and Truth. In consideration of his visit, the government reestablished Christmas as a public holiday (even if it declared that it was only for that year [1997]). With his visit, Pope John Paul II brought hope not only to the Roman Catholic clergy, religious and faithful which remained on the island, but also to the many millions who came to see him in the various public masses and celebrations at which he presided.

Because of the significance of his visit to the Church and the people of Cuba, we publish his public statements made during the visit in their totality:

Table of Contents

- THE HOLY FATHER'S ARRIVAL SPEECH (Wednesday,  21 January 1998)

- SPEECH AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA

- HOMILY AT SANTA CLARA (Thursday 22 January 1998)

- HOMILY AT CAMAGÜEY (Friday 23 January 1998) 

- MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE OF CUBA   (Camagüey, 23 January 1998)

- HOMILY IN SANTIAGO DE CUBA (Saturday 24 January 1998)

- MEETING WITH THE SICK AND SUFFERING (Shrine of St Lazarus, El Rincón)  (Saturday 24 January 1998)

- MEETING WITH THE CUBAN BISHOPS (Sunday, 25 January 1998)
- ANGELUS (25 January 1998)
- HOMILY IN THE JOSÉ MARTÍ SQUARE OF HAVANA (Sunday, 25 January 1998)

- MEETING WITH OTHER CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES (Sunday, 25 January 1998) (Written Message)
- MEETING IN THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL (Sunday, 25 January 1998)
- FAREWELL ADDRESS IN HAVANA (Sunday, 25 January 1998)