A new diplomatic pact between the US and Cuba, ending decades of hostility, was signed in the office of the Vatican Secretary of State.

Cuban and American representatives “came here to the Secretariat to sign the two respective docuмents in the presence of Cardinal Pietro Parolin [the Secretary of State], who acted almost as a guarantor of the word they had given each other,” recalled Archbishop Angelo Becciu, the deputy secretary of state or <I>sustituto.  

In an interview with the Italian broadcaster TV2000, Archbishop Becciu underlined the importance of Pope Francis in helping to bring about the US-Cuba agreement.  “They expressly asked for the Pope to help them. And the Pope did not pull back,” he said.

Archbishop Becciu said that during his visit to the US, the Pope will probably renew the Vatican’s regular call for an end to the US embargo on Cuba. He said that President Obama has already expressed his commitment, and all that is needed is a vote by Congress to end the sanctions.

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