French president bestows nation’s highest award on Cuban cardinal

May 13, 2015

During a visit to Cuba, President François Hollande awarded the nation’s highest decoration to Cardinal Jaime Ortega, inducting the prelate into the Legion of Honour.

In bestowing the award on May 11, Hollande praised Cardinal Ortega as a “trusted messenger” of the Pope in seeking the normalization of US-Cuban relations.

The French president also praised the cardinal’s “love for Cuba, love for the Church,” and involvement in the release of political prisoners.

 

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Further information:

• Hollande impone la Legión de Honor al cardenal Ortega y elogia su papel mediador (Radio y Televisión Martí)
• Hollande à La Havane : la Légion d'honneur pour le chef de l'église cubaine (Le Parisien)