hand and heart

The recent post office troubles have impacted our regular fundraising efforts. Please consider supporting the Register and Catholic journalism by using one of the methods below:

  • Donate online
  • Donate by e-transfer to accounting@catholicregister.org
  • Donate by telephone: 416-934-3410 ext. 406 or toll-free 1-855-441-4077 ext. 406
Subscribe to this RSS feed
December 3, 2016

Catholic Church could play larger role in a post-Fidel Castro Cuba

Cuban President Raul Castro, right, smiles as he meets Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican on May 10, 2015.

The relationship between Fidel Castro and the Cuban Catholic Church has been a roller-coaster ride of ups and downs, though it has noticeably improved in recent years.

Published in Faith
May 14, 2015

Beware of cheap grace

Cuban President Raul Castro smiles as he meets Pope Francis during a private audience at the Vatican May 10.

Pope Francis has declared a special jubilee to help the world encounter the awesome, awful and awe-filled mercy of God. The world prefers cheap grace, and thinks it can get it from the Holy Father. The world — represented recently by Raul Castro and Al Gore — will be disappointed.

Published in Fr. Raymond de Souza
May 11, 2015

Castro says Pope is so impressive he might start praying again

Pope Francis talks with Cuban President Raul Castro during a private audience at the Vatican May 10.

VATICAN CITY - After spending close to an hour with Pope Francis, Cuban President Raul Castro told reporters he is so impressed by what the Pope does and says that he might start praying and could even return to the church.

Published in International
May 6, 2015

Pope Francis to meet Raul Castro ahead of Cuba visit

Pope Benedict XVI and Cuba's President Raul Castro gesture to the media as they appear for a photo opportunity outside the Palace of the Revolution in Havana March 27, 2012.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis was scheduled to meet Cuban President Raul Castro at the Vatican May 10, less than five months ahead of the pontiff's visit to the island nation.

Published in Vatican
April 22, 2015

Pope to visit Cuba first before heading to United States in September

People walk on street in Havana People walk on a street in Havana April 10. Pope Francis has considered the possibility of visiting Cuba in September, before or after his trip to the United States, but discussions with Cuban authorities are so preliminary that the idea cannot be consid ered more than a hypothesis, the Vatican said.

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will visit Cuba in September before his trip to the United States.

Published in International
April 13, 2015

Obama and Castro take next steps to normalize U.S.-Cuba ties

Cuba's President Raul Castro shakes hands with U.S. President Barack Obama as they hold a bilateral meeting during the seventh Summit of the Americas in Panama City April 11. Obama and Castro, who shook hands at the summit, seek to restore ties between the Cold War foes.

PANAMA CITY - An hourlong meeting April 11 between U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro marked the first such personal encounter between the leaders of the two neighbouring countries since 1958.

Published in International
April 13, 2015

Do more to help the poor, Pope tells leaders at Summit of the Americas

In a message delivered at the Summit of the Americas, Pope Francis said he hoped the leaders would guarantee the rights of the poor to the “basic needs” of land, shelter, jobs, health care, education and security.

VATICAN CITY - With an obligation to lead and protect everyone in their nations, government officials cannot be content "to hope that the poor collect the crumbs that fall from the table of the rich," Pope Francis said in a message to the Summit of the Americas.

Published in Vatican
December 17, 2014

Pope Francis credited for urging U.S., Cuba to normalize relations

Cars in Havana drive past a banner Dec. 17 featuring five Cuban prisoners held in U.S. custody; two were previously released. U.S. President Barack Obama announced a shift in policy toward Cuba Dec. 17.

WASHINGTON - Pope Francis personally appealed to President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro this year to encourage both leaders to normalize diplomatic relations, a senior Obama administration official said.

Published in International
March 28, 2012

Pope asks Castro for more church freedom, Good Friday holiday

Pope Benedict XVI and Cuba's President Raul Castro talk as they appear for a photo opportunity outside the Palace of the Revolution in Havana March 27. Pictured in back is a translator.

HAVANA - Pope Benedict XVI spent more than 40 minutes meeting privately with Cuban President Raul Castro and asked the Cuban leader for further freedoms for the Catholic Church in Cuba and attention to certain "humanitarian" situations.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, told reporters late March 27 that while he could not give the press details about the humanitarian cases raised during the meeting, the Pope did give Castro specific names of people in detention or suffering for other reasons the government was in a position to help alleviate.

Published in International