Our Statement on the Passing of His Holiness Pope Francis

The Cuba Study Group mourns the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis, a spiritual leader whose papacy was marked by a profound commitment to reconciliation, human dignity, and the peaceful transformation of societies. His death signifies the loss of a guiding voice that resonated deeply with the Cuban people, both on the island and throughout the diaspora.
 
Pope Francis played a pivotal role in the most significant breakthrough in the history of U.S.-Cuban relations. In 2014, less than a year after assuming the papacy, he served as a mediator between the governments of Barack Obama and Raúl Castro, urging both heads of state to “resolve humanitarian questions of common interest” in confidential letters sent to each. The gesture was crucial to advancing ongoing secret negotiations between both sides. The Vatican subsequently hosted and served as guarantor for a late round of talks to finalize the details of historic agreements then announced on December 17, 2014. Francis thus paved the way for the restoration of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, a bold new chapter in hemispheric relations that offered renewed hope for the Cuban people.
 
Pope Francis followed this achievement with a memorable visit to Cuba in 2015. Upon arrival in Havana, he remarked: “For some months now, we have witnessed an event which fills us with hope: the process of normalizing relations between two peoples following years of estrangement. It is a sign of the victory of the culture of encounter and dialogue.”
 
In addition to promoting reconciliation between the U.S. and Cuban governments, Pope Francis emphasized the need for reconciliation between Cuba and its exile and diaspora communities. In his address at the Fr. Félix Varela Cultural Center in Havana, he stated: “Open hearts and open minds. If you are different than I am, then why don’t we talk? Why do we always throw stones at one another over what separates us, what makes us different? Why don’t we extend a hand where we have common ground?” His words remain a potent call to bridge the divides that have long separated Cubans, both within the island and abroad, particularly considering the economic crisis and renewed polarization that have befallen Cuban affairs today.
 
Pope Francis’s legacy is also seen in the work of the Cuban Catholic Church in recent years. Not only has the Church continued to live out his preferential option for the poor in its vital humanitarian work across the island, it has also hosted diverse lay initiatives to promote civic debate, education, and entrepreneurial literacy.

Even in the final year of his life, Pope Francis remained committed to the cause of human dignity in Cuba. In January 2025, his behind-the-scenes diplomacy helped secure the release of 553 prisoners, including over 200 prisoners of conscience unjustly sentenced for taking part in nationwide protests on July 11, 2021.
 
Pope Francis’s legacy in relation to Cuba is profound: a pastor who preached mercy over judgment, encounter over confrontation, and hope over fear. His unwavering belief in the power of dialogue and forgiveness continues to inspire all who seek a more open, inclusive, and democratic Cuba. Francis called the 2014 U.S.-Cuba diplomatic opening a victory of “universal growth” over “the forever-dead system of groups and dynasties,” and urged leaders on both shores to develop its “full potential for the peace and well-being of their peoples.”

Now more than ever, Cubans at home and abroad should heed Francis’s call to embrace solutions that advance the peace and well-being of the Cuban nation and reject dead-end policies that inflict suffering in the pursuit of vague political ends.
 
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic Church and to all those touched by Pope Francis’s prophetic voice and compassionate leadership.

(Photo credit: Alex Acosta, AFP / Getty Images)

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