Dopo Castro, Bertone: "Vice-Pope" Goes to Cuba

Yesterday's big global news was, of course, the word from Havana that Fidel Castro would resign the Cuban presidency at the weekend after a reign of nearly 50 years.

Yet again, the Vatican finds itself at the crossroads of the news-cycle; fresh on the heels of the announcement, and a week after the island's Communist regime declared its relations with Rome "excellent," the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone SDB arrives in Havana today for a week-long visit.

Months in the planning, the journey of the "Vice-Pope" commemorates last month's tenth anniversary of John Paul II's landmark Cuba trek, as Bertone re-traces the footsteps of the late pilgrim pontiff. A meeting with interim President Raul Castro -- who, according to wire reports, could be confirmed as his brother's successor at Sunday's vote by the National Assembly -- is reportedly set for next Monday, the 25th.

Before departing Rome -- or word of Fidel's resignation hit the street -- B16's omnipresent top aide previewed the trip in the Italian bishops' influential daily Avvenire... before announcing his next slate of stops:

Bertone agreed that his [globetrotting] has drawn, above all from the press, a lot of attention. He admitted that this attention has surprised him, saying it is to be expected that the secretary of state goes "on mission" to the nations of the world.

"I do not think of my activities in a geopolitical key, but rather in an ecclesial one," Cardinal Bertone said. "And this trip is no exception; neither are those I will shortly take to Armenia and Azerbaijan.

"I go to Cuba above all to visit the local Church, which, despite well known difficulties, enjoys a great vitality. Obviously the visit is taking place thanks to an invitation, particularly warm, from the civil authorities, as well as the episcopal conference."

Asked about relations between Cuba and the Holy See, Cardinal Bertone said: "Now, they are relatively good, as both sides recognize.

"No one denies that in the past, there have been difficulties. But one always has to recall that, unlike other analogous cases, between Cuba and the Holy See there was never a breaking off of diplomatic relations."

Cardinal Bertone noted the work of Archbishop Cesare Zacchi, (1914-1991), who served as apostolic nuncio to the nation and "did so much in this sense, and succeeded."

"Cuba is proof that dialogue, if it is sincere, always gives fruits. Likewise, it must be recognized that the Holy See has always enjoyed due liberty in selecting its own pastors," he added.

Regarding human rights, the cardinal affirmed, "All countries have difficulties. And the Church never ceases, nor will she ever cease to make her voice heard to all of them."

Cardinal Bertone visited Cuba in October of 2005, as archbishop of Geneva [sic -- they meant "Genova"]. On that occasion, he was received by Castro.

"It was the president who asked to meet with me," the cardinal clarified. "It was a very long conversation. We spoke of many things, of hunger and of poverty spread through the world, and the need of a greater solidarity among people and governments. We spoke of wars and progress."

Cardinal Bertone said he was impressed by the way in which Castro spoke of Benedict XVI: "'I like this Pope,' he told me, 'He is a good person. I have understood that immediately seeing his face, the face of an angel.' Later, Fidel Castro asked me also to invite the Pope to visit Cuba. Up to now, this has not been possible," the cardinal said. "In the future, we shall see."

Cardinal Bertone said he was impressed by the way in which Castro spoke of Benedict XVI: "'I like this Pope,' he told me, 'He is a good person. I have understood that immediately seeing his face, the face of an angel.' Later, Fidel Castro asked me also to invite the Pope to visit Cuba. Up to now, this has not been possible," the cardinal said. "In the future, we shall see."

Benedict XVI's secretary of state said Castro encouraged the beatification of Karol Wojtyla, "and he compared the figure of John Paul II to that of Mother Teresa of Calcutta."

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