Pope Francis Converts Cuban Atheist Leader

An archangel once said, "For with God, nothing will be impossible (Luke 1:37)." Well, this statement never fails.  Five months after Pope Francis brokered a deal between Cuba and the United States which brought both nations together, Cuban president Raul Castro visited the Vatican.  He met with Pope Francis who welcomed him in their native Spanish with, "Bienvenido."  Both spoke in private and then had a photo opt.  However, what got the attention of many of us is what Castro said of the Pope.  He said:

"The pontiff is a Jesuit, and I, in some way, am too, I always studied at Jesuit schools. I read all the speeches of the pope, his commentaries, and if the pope continues this way, I will go back to praying and go back to the church, and I'm not joking. I am from the Cuban Communist Party, that doesn't allow religious believers, but now we are allowing it, it's an important step. I am very impressed by his wisdom, his modesty, and all his virtues that we know he has."

It seems that the Pope is bringing the atheist dictator back home to the Catholic Church. Castro even asked the Pope to pray for him.  This is what happens when the Gospel becomes our life. We do not need to be apologists or theologians with doctorate degrees or licentiates to spread Catholicism.  It is via our living out the Gospel that brings people to Christ. When we live out the Gospel, we show the world that this "stuff" is true and really works.  Titus 2:7 states this well,

"Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity.." 

I understand some are upset at the statement made by Castro. They consider him an evil dictator who had Cubans murdered and want him to suffer. This is a response from someone who does not understand mercy and forgiveness.  Yes, Castro and his brother did and ordered a lot of evil, but we must not judge them, that is God's job. If Castro sincerely is considering returning to Catholicism, then we as Christians must rejoice like Heaven does (Luke 15:7).  Let us pray for Castro and his brother that they may return to God and His Church.  Let us also pray for the Cuban people.










Source:

http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/10/europe/italy-raul-castro-pope-francis-meeting/

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/11/world/europe/raul-castro-meets-with-pope-francis-at-vatican.html?_r=0

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32679290

http://news.yahoo.com/pope-welcomes-raul-castro-vatican-ahead-trip-cuba-091003771.html

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/10/pope-francis-raul-castro/27079241/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2015/05/10/405685050/raul-castro-says-pope-inspiring-him-to-return-to-church

Pope Francis Brokers Deal With Cuba & USA

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called children of God." -Matthew 5:9

These words said by Jesus reflect what we have learned today.  Pope Francis had a major role in helping Cuba and the United States of America restore diplomatic ties. For over half a century, both nations had a tense relationship. An embargo was placed on Cuba by the United States in hopes of pressuring Cuba's regime to succumb and dissolve; however, this never happened.  Fidel Castro remained in power and left it to his brother Raul Castro.

Since the beginning of his presidency, Obama made it clear that he would try things differently.  This would anger Republicans and others who see Obama's way of thinking as being too "soft" in regards to international policy. Despite this, both nations of Cuba and the United States sought the help of the Vatican to broker a deal, and it worked!  Pope Francis along with Canada worked hard to get both sides to agree. Alan P. Gross, an American held by Cuban officials was released in exchange for Cuban spies held in America. Travel restrictions were relaxed a bit with the exception of tourism. Americans who do visit Cuban are allowed to bring $100 worth of Cuban goods which include rum and cigars which are major products of Cuba.

Many younger Cubans welcome this move, but older ones do not fearing it is not changing anything. Republicans are also upset and even Democratic politician Bob Melendez who is Cuban. He claims that he was never informed of these secret talks and feels that Obama is sending the message to the world that Americans can be taken hostage and will get a good deal for them, so to speak. Another Cuban-American politician Marco Rubio attacked Pope Francis saying that he should "take up the cause of freedom and democracy." Rubio of course is speaking out of ignorance. He does not understand that the Pope has to be a man of peace. The Pope is not "for" democracy or any political ideology.  He is "for" God and God's children. This means that he must build bridges to link God's children to God and one another. The Pope has no time to play Republican vs Democrat like Rubio does. Pope Francis is concerned about people and keeping peace, not engaging in childish battles or separating humanity.

Ironically, today is the Pope's birthday! What a gift he has received of two nations once at each other's "throats," are now establishing diplomacy. It was amazing to see both president Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro give televised speeches regarding this deal and thanking Pope Francis. Hopefully this will show ignorant atheists that religion does not start wars. While atheists such as Lawrence Krauss, Richard Dawkins, Hermant Mehta and others use their platforms to promote diatribe, hatred and division; the Pope is trying to get everyone to get along with each other.


We must thank Saint John Paul II as well for opening up the door to this change. His visit in the late 1990's chipped away at Cuba's tough regime. John Paul of course was the man who brought down Communism in Europe so it makes sense for him to have been the one to start the process of dissolving Communism in Cuba. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is not far off. He continued to crack open the spot where John Paul II struck at with the shepherd's staff.

Change takes time. I understand the anger some have over this deal, but we must wake up to the fact that the policies that were the status quo were not working. Perhaps this new open diplomacy can aid in the transformation of the Cuban government into something that respects human rights and is compatible with democracy.  Democracy itself is not perfect and has its flaws. Nevertheless, let us continue to pray for Cuba.

Pope Francis is now the new Leader of the Free World!









Source:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/12/17/pope-key-role-in-us-cuba-deal/20533525/

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/17/us-cuba-diplomatic-relations-obama-raul-castro

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/pope-francis-celebrates-78th-birthday-cake-mate-tango-n270031

http://time.com/3637901/pope-francis-cuba-obama/

http://www.vox.com/2014/12/17/7408955/cuba-deal-pope-francis-canada

http://www.local10.com/news/archbishop-pope-francis-helping-to-build-bridges-between-us-cuba/30283604

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/12/17/catholic-church-cuba-us_n_6344510.html

http://thinkprogress.org/world/2014/12/17/3604800/rubio-attacks-pope-for-helping-broker-cuba-deal/

Mandela Laid to Rest

Today a large memorial was held for the late South African president and world icon, Nelson Mandela.

Almost a hundred dignitaries from all over the globe attended along with millions of South Africans and other neighboring Africans.  The day was gloomy with rain and grey skies which seemed to have set the mood for mourning.

The day did not go without any controversy.  First, President Obama was videotaped shaking hands with Cuban Communist leader Raul Castro.  This angered Republicans and others who felt this sent the wrong message to the world and even equated it to shaking hands with Hitler.  If that was not enough, Obama and Prime Minister Cameron posed for a 'selfie' with a cell phone which upset some people who described it as disrespectful and in poor taste.

The body of Mandela was laid to rest in his Village of Qunu.  May he rest in peace.  













Source:

http://news.yahoo.com/mandela-39-39-honorary-granddaughter-39-opens-144337012.html

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-shakes-hands-with-cuba-s-raul-castro-132509889.html

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/12/10/21843912-nelson-mandela-memorial-the-world-has-lost-a-beloved-friend-and-mentor?lite

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-cameron-39-selfie-39-mandela-memorial-causes-184218628.html