Both in the Holy Mass in the eastern city of Santiago, as in the capital,
the Pope found a crowd that cheered and welcomed him with love and joy.

In the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square everything shone, from the service
offered by all bishops and cardinals who secured the work of the Pope
during the Mass, to the majestic altar of white, red and blue, also
symbolic for the Catholic Church.

All the time the Pilgrim of Charity exuded peace and joy. He himself
confirmed it when he began his homily of March 26th: “I thank God that
allowed me to come to you and make this so desired trip.”

Federico Lombardi, spokesman for the Holy See, ratified in his statements
to reporters on Monday night: the Pope is in good mood and is surprised by
the joy and the large number of people who welcomed him upon his arrival
and along his journey from the Antonio Maceo Airport to the Archbishopric
of Santiago de Cuba.

The same environment was experienced on Wednesday, last day of his second
tour of Latin America and the Caribbean and first to Cuba, at the Jose
Marti Revolution Square, in Havana.

Among canticles, Cuban and the Holy See flags, banners announcing the
presence of the faithful from all over the island, the Holy father
celebrated a two-hour long Mass.

At the end of the service, the Cuban President Raul Castro went to greet
him, as he had done in Santiago de Cuba, also invited by the Pope.

And Benedict XVI decided to reach the group of Cuban Catholics who
accompanied and supported him throughout the Mass officiated at the
square, before boarding the popemobile.

He even agreed to have a picture taken with those who very warmly said
good-by to him. Once again, he showed a smiling face.

Why can’t we then imagine that he was happy to have been able to share
with all Cubans this visit of high spiritual value and faith?