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A week after the pope, change palpable in Cuba

February 1, 1998
Web posted at: 11:17 p.m. EDT (2317 GMT)

From Havana Bureau Chief Lucia Newman

HAVANA, Cuba (CNN) -- On Sunday, Roman Catholics in many of Cuba's churches remembered last week's departure of Pope John Paul II with a sense of sadness -- but also with a sense of purpose.

"It was like a miracle, and now it's over. But the fruits of that visit must remain in our hearts, in our church and in our people," said Father Rolando Cabrera. "It's up to us."

Catholic church officials say that, in the wake of the papal visit, many people are expressing a desire to join the church, inspired by John Paul's pastoral journey.

Some of those who are already believers say they also feel a change.

"He has filled us with hope, so our faith in Jesus continues to grow, which was the pope's main mission," says one young woman.

"The people heard another type of speech -- not one of the trenches, of the need to make sacrifices for a political system, but rather a speech of love, reconciliation and hope for liberty," says another man.

But for the Cuban government, it's been back to business since the pope's departure.

Last week, supporters reaffirmed their commitment to the Cuban revolution during the annual March of the Torches, which commemorates the birth of national hero Jose Marti.

So far, there has been no word as to when, or even if, authorities will agree to John Paul's request for clemency for an undetermined number of political prisoners.

But at least one other government, that of Guatemala, has heeded the pope's call for the world to open up to Cuba, announcing last week that it would establish diplomatic ties with Havana.

And in the United States, one of communist Cuba's most intractable foes, U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms, a North Carolina Republican, announced that he would support U.S. humanitarian aid for Cuba, including shipments of food and medicine to the island -- but only as long as it is done in such a way that the Cuban government can't touch it.

Follow the Pope's visit day-by-day:   Day 1  |  Day 2  |  Day 3  |  Day 4  |  Day 5

Icons at the Crossroads  |  Cuba and Catholicism  |  An Exile Returns
Testing the Embargo  |  Live Webcasts  |  The Struggling Revolution  |  Related links

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