(Granma)

The Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, who arrived Thursday in Havana for an official visit until Sunday, said he came to the island in response to an invitation from Cuban President Raul Castro.

In the José Martí International Airport of the capital, where he was received by the President of this Caribbean nation, Kirill recalled that this is his fourth visit to Cuba, as he traveled on three previous occasions while holding other positions in the religious institution.

I will have the opportunity to talk to people and convey the good wishes of the Russian people. I am Patriarch of All Russia, of historical Russia and on its behalf I convey greetings, said from the air terminal.

I wish well and joy to the Cuban people, that God in his mercy and love be with you, he said.

Kirill will hold today a meeting with Pope Francis, who will make a stopover in Havana during his trip to Mexico, in what will be the first meeting ever between the heads of the largest Christian churches in the world.

According to a statement of the Patriarchate of Moscow, the religious leaders will discuss for three hours about the relations between the two churches, the international context and the defense of Christians in the Middle East and North Africa in view of the persecution and genocide.

Kirill’s agenda also includes official talks with the Cuban president, the first foreign leader with whom the Patriarch met after being enthroned on February 1, 2009.

When departing from Russia, the Patriarch predicted that his trip to Latin America, which will also take him to Paraguay and Brazil, will be extensive and complex, but said he visits Cuba with a special feeling.

On Sunday, the Patriarch will offer a divine liturgy in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral Our Lady of Kazan, located on Avenida del Puerto, in Havana.

On November 14, 2004, Kirill, then chairman of the Department of External Church Relations of the Moscow Patriarchate, led the ceremony of laying the first stone of the structure, and four years later, October 19, 2008, celebrated the Divine liturgy of consecration of the temple.

(Prensa Latina)

Amarelle Boué commented that Raúl’s congratulations reinforced the commitment of Cuban women and insisted that the FMC would continue to guarantee the unity of women in the defense of the Revolution.

Making the central remarks at the celebration was Olga Lidia Tapia Iglesias, member of the Party Central Committee, who recalled that the organization, founded August 23, 1960 by the Revolution’s historic leader, Fidel Castro, and heroine of the city and mountains Vilma Espín, had as its principal objective, from the very beginning, the full incorporation of women into all walks of the country’s social and economic life.

Among the FMC’s accomplishments, Tapia emphasized the establishment of childcare centers; modern legislation protecting children; the development of sex education; progress in the realm of labor and wages; and an important role in drafting the country’s Family Code.

She noted that women today constitute 48% of those employed in the state sector, 66% of technical professionals, and 53% of scientists.

The FMC has also contributed to increasing the number of women in leadership positions, she said, noting the important fact that 48.86% of National Assembly deputies are female, one of the highest proportions in the world.

During the anniversary event in Bayamo, the province of Granma was awarded the National Vanguard flag, while the provinces of Guantánamo, Santiago de Cuba, Artemisa and Villa Clara were recognized for their outstanding work.

Other distinguished guests at the event included Sonia Virgen Pérez, member of the Party Central Committee and provincial Party general secretary; Revolutionary Armed Forces Brigadier General Delsa Esther Puebla (Teté); and Edemis Tamayo (La Gallega), these last two members of the legendary group of female revolutionary combatants, the Marianas.

In the Segundo Frente municipality of Santiago de Cuba, the continued relevance of Vilma Espín’s thought and actions was reasserted and honored on the anniversary of the FMC, to which she devoted a great part of her life.

A floral wreath was laid at the spot where her ashes rest, at the Frank País García Eastern Second Front Mausoleum, in the name of all Cuban women, as the culmination of a commemorative event led by local FMC leader Yitsi Torres Reyes, who reiterated the organization’s permanent commitment to continuing the work of the its eternal president.

(Diario Granma)

Raul Castro was welcomed at the Jose Marti International Airport by Vice President Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, and Interior Minister, Army Corps General Abelardo Colome Ibarra.

During the last stage of his tour, the president was welcomed in private audience by Pope Francis for 55 minutes in one of the rooms near to Paul VI Audience Hall in Vatican City.

Raul Castro also met with Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, at the Chigi Palace, the headquarter of the government in Rome, where he declared that the current relations with Italy are in good condition and highlighted the role of the nation in negotiations with the European Union.

(Prensa Latina)

The President travels accompanied by Vicepresident of the Council of Ministers, Ricardo Cabrisas and Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, among other representatives of his government. He was received by the Swiss guard of honor and the prefect of the Pontiff s House, Georg Gaenswein.

Raul Castro presented the High Pontiff of a painting of the Cuban artist Alexis Leyva, known by Kcho, representing the tragedies suffered by thousands of migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.

Also, the Cuban President gave the Bishop of Rome a commemorative medal of the 200th anniversary of the Havana Cathedral.

On his part, Francis gave the Executive a copy of his apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel and a medal of St. Martin of Tours, patron of Buenos Aires.

In statements to the press, the Cuban President affirmed he thanked the Pope for his contribution to the process of reestablishment of relations between his country and the United States.

He also said to have transmitted to the High Pontiff the love of the Cuban people and their expectations of the Pope�s visit to the island, scheduled for next September.

The Cuban President arrived the eve to Italy, after participating in Russia in the celebration of the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism.

(Prensa Latina)

During the exchanges, which took place in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, the Cuban President recalled that this is his third visit to the African nation and that the two countries have historical ties of friendship and solidarity.

For his part, the head of the Algerian Parliament said he greeted Raul Castro with his heart, and he stressed that the fight is reinforced when friends meet again.

The Algerian Foreign Minister Ramtan Lamamra and Health Minister Abdelmalek Boudiaf also attended the meeting.

The Cuban side was represented by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, Vice President Ricardo Cabrisas and Minister of the Armed Forces Leopoldo Cintras Frias.

Cuba maintains cooperation with Algeria in various areas including 900 brigades of health collaborators working in materny and children programs. The exchange of both nations in the pharmaceutical industry also stands out.

(Prensa Latina)