|
Message
Written by Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz in the Condolence Book
To
Pope John Paul II
Rest
in peace, indefatigable battler for friendship among the peoples,
enemy of war and friend of the poor.
The
efforts of those who wanted to utilize your prestige and great
spiritual authority against the just cause of our people in their
fight against the giant empire were in vain.
You
visited us in difficult times and could perceive the nobility,
solidarity of spirit and moral valor of the people, who welcomed
you with special respect and affection because you knew how to
appreciate the goodness and love of human beings that prompted
your long pilgrimage over the Earth.
Before
returning to Rome you said that the restrictive economic measures
imposed from outside the country were unjust and ethically
unacceptable. That earned you forever the gratitude and affection
of all Cubans, who today pay you a merited tribute.
Your
leaving pains us, unforgettable friend, and we fervently desire
that your example will endure.
Fidel
Castro Ruz
April 4, 2005
President Fidel Castro
Pays Tribute to Pope John Paul II
Havana, Apr 5
(Prensa Latina) Cuba´s President Fidel Castro praised Pope John
Paul II for his support of world peace and defense of the poor
before joining other government officials, diplomats and church
leaders at Havana´s Cathedral for a funeral Mass in honor to the
late pontiff.
Before attending
mass, led by Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega, Fidel Castro, dressed in
a dark suit and tie, signed the condolence book at the Papal
Nunciature, the Vatican Embassy in Havana, where he highlighted
the Pope as a fighter for peace and the poor.
"Rest in
peace, tireless fighter for friendship among peoples, enemy of war
and friend of the poor," Castro wrote in the condolences book
at the Papal Nunciature, the Vatican´s mission in Havana.
Accompanied by
his brother, Defense Minister Raul Castro, and Foreign Minister
Felipe Perez Roque, President Castro also recalled John Paul as an
"unforgettable friend" who would be remembered on the
island for speaking out against the U.S. blockade during his
January 1998 visit.
"This earned
you the gratitude and the affection of all Cubans forever,"
Castro wrote.
The Cuban
president also wrote that the efforts by those who wanted to use
the pontiff´s prestige and enormous spiritual authority against
the just cause of the Cuban people in their struggle against the
giant empire (the United States) were in vain.
Fidel Castro
underlined, "you visited us in difficult times and you were
able to feel the nobility, spirit of solidarity and moral value of
the people who welcomed you with special respect and affection".
Before signing
the book, he finished his tribute stressing: "we wish
fervently that your example lives forever".
Cuban Army
General and First Vice President Raul Castro had previously signed
the condolences book in which he wrote, "John Paul II, His
Holiness, fought in favor of the poor, struggled for peace. We
will remember him with respect and profound friendship."
The Cuban
government has declared three days of national mourning for the
Pope´s death and canceled all recreational and festive events.
The Cuban flag is flying at half mast in all public buildings and
military institutions.
April,
2005
|
