{UAH} Pope's last full day in Cuba

The day has also been a hive of actvities, very hectic but impressive to the Holy Pontif!

Deep endless crowds have continued to cheer him wherever he passed. The day today

began with a great mass in the eastern city of Holguin, Cuba's bastion of Catholicism and

also the capital city of Cuban music whose melodious tunes were at honour during Mass

where the choir excelled beyong excellence in the presence of President Raoul Castro and the

very huge congregation numbering hundreds of thousands that had packed to full capacity the

city's Revolution Square. The Pope arrived at the Square from the airport and he was cheered

in every street he traversed by the great multitudes who had lined up all along the streets to cheer him.

By the time he started Mass the vast square had already been invaded by what was seen as an unprecedented

capacity crowd which overflooded the square. In his sermon which was based on the feast day of St Matthew the

apostle and the evangelist the Pope reminded that Matthew who was a tax collector was at that time the receiver

of the collections until Christ's calling converted him into a giver who had now to give himself for others and for God.

Affirming that Jesus came to fetch us, the Pope appealed to the congregation to look at others with compassion just as

Jesus looked at each one of us. At this juncture he commended the Church in Cuba for the very good work done, great

difficulties notwithstanding! The Pope's sermon was very widely cheered by the packed congregation. And at the end of Mass

the local bishop took the opportunity to thank the Pope for the very good words hehad pronounced because they were going to

plant a profound impact in the minds of Christians. He insisted on how the visit would confirm the people in faith. And he pointed

out to the Pope that he had come to the city as a missionary and that he should consequently bless all the people present and around.

Before giving the final blessing the Pope handed a special gift to the bishop, amid deafening cheers from the vast crowd.

Many people from neighbouring countries nd Latin America and the USA are in Cuba to witness events surrounding the Pope's

visit to the island nation. And in addition, there are thousands of Cubans from diaspora who have also made it for this purpose!

Later the Pope, moving through vast crowds that had lined the route, arrived on the summit of Loma de la Cruz Hill from where he blessed

the City of Holguin. He then flew to Santiago city where he met in camera the bishops of Cuba at St Bazil the Great Seminary. And later on

he led a prayer service at the Holy Virgin's Shrine of Caridad surrounded by his entourage and and many bishops. And today Tuesday September 22, mid-morning, he will fly to the USA after presiding at Mass in the Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Charity, and after meeting with families at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral. Pope Francis has had a real tremendous success in Cuba! And he will equally triumph in the USA!

Dr G.H. Kkolokolo ( Paris / France )