4-04-05, 9:40 am
Cuba Declares National Mourning for Pope Death
Havana, (Prensa Latina) Following the death of Pope John Paul II, Cuba declared a three-day national mourning including the suspension of the National Baseball Series playoffs, activities for the Young Communist League and Jose Marti Organization anniversaries.
According to the Cuban Council of State decree, the mourning starts Sunday through Tuesday, and the national flag will remain half hoisted in public and military centers.
It explained that the Pope was a notable world celebrity who indefatigably defended peace and a solution to social woes, and openly criticized liberalism and wars.
'His Sanctity paid a historic visit to our country on January 21-25 1998, when the Cuban people and government respectfully and joyfully received him,' indicates the communiqué.
During the visit, the Supreme Pontiff strongly condemned 'the restrictive measures imposed from the outside,' and termed them unjust and unacceptable.
Fidel Castro Sends Message of Condolence to Vatican
'The Cuban people, government and I express our most sincere condolences for the sorrowful demise of His Sanctity John Paul II,' maintained Fidel Castro in his message to Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, Camerlengo of the Holy See.
The Cuban leader asserted humankind would always remember the indefatigable work of the Supreme Pontiff, who defended peace, justice and solidarity among world nations.
On the Pope´s 1998 visit to Havana, Fidel Castro said 'our nation will remember it as a momentous event in the history of relations between the Vatican and the Republic of Cuba.'
After the news on the pope´s death was released, Cuban authorities declared a three-day mourning including the suspension of celebrations for the Young Communist League and the Jose Marti Organization anniversaries, and all sport and cultural festivities.
The decree by the Council of State regulates the national flag will remained half hoisted in public and military institutions from April 3 to 5.
On January 21-25, 1998, John Paul II was respectfully and joyfully received by the local population and government.
During the visit, he strongly condemned 'the restrictive measures imposed from the outside,' and termed them unjust and unacceptable. Cuba Expresses Condolences to Catholics on Pope´s Death
Havana, Apr 3 (Prensa Latina) Cuba expressed today its condolences to all Catholics over the world for the death of Pope John Paul II, 84, who authorities said, was a friend of this island.
'We express our condolences, our respect and solidarity to Catholic believers in Cuba and the rest of the World”, said Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque in a statement read to the press.
“We will also send an official message of condolences from president Fidel Castro to Cardenal Eduardo Martinez Somalo, chamberlain of the Holy Roman Church”, said the head of Cuban diplomacy.
“We also inform, he added, that all activities related to the funeral services of the Pope will be widely covered by the media in our country.” 'The Cuban government and people have attentively followed, as other peoples of the world, the evolution of Pope John Paul II´s health condition. We now have regrettably been informed with great sorrow of the news of his death”, he assured.
“We always saw the Pope and will always consider him a friend, someone who was always concerned with the poor, who fought neoliberalism and struggled for peace, “ continued the Minister of Foreign Relations.
In his brief words, Perez Roque recalled his people´s gratitude for the visit the Supreme Pontiff made to Cuba on January, 1998. “We will always remember his statement against the blockade of the United States on Cuba, which he described as unjust and etically unacceptable economic restrictive measures, said the Minister while adding that Cubans will never forget the impact made by his visit.
Cuban TV and radio stations joined in to broadcast the news about the Pope´s death, while church bells in Havana tolled in respect for the Supreme Pontiff.
(From Prensa Latina)
