At Marian shrine, Pope says Church must 'build bridges, break down walls'

September 22, 2015

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on September 22 at the shrine Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, the patroness of Cuba. 

Speaking about the influence of the Virgin Mary, and using the words of the Cuban bishops, the Pope said that Our Lady of Charity has "molded the Cuban soul." He encouraged the congregation to follow her example and "live the revolution of tenderness."

The Pope said that the Church should rely on the help of the Virgin Mary in efforts to bring new spiritual vigor to Cuba. He said that "we want to be a Church that goes forth to build bridges, to break down walls, to sow seeds of reconciliation."

After his visit to the historic Marian shrine, first build in 1684, Pope Francis traveled to Santiago de Cuba, the country's 2nd-largest city, where he met with families in the city's cathedral. From there he left for the airport, for his flight to Washington, DC, to begin his visit to the US.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis: follow Mary on the path to visitation (Vatican Radio)
• Francis prays before Our Lady of Charity of El Cobre, patroness of Cuba (VIS)
• Pope asks Cubans to imitate Mary's 'revolution of tenderness' (CNA)