Pope Francis is now invested in future of US-Cuba relations

When Pope Francis was thanked by presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro for facilitating the rapprochement between the United States and Cuba, the head of the Roman Catholic Church became more than just a man of God advocating peace. Francis is now a key participant in what promises to be a major diplomatic event.

The U.S. and Cuba have been enemies for more than 50 years, and while there has been an easing of restrictions with regard to Cuban-Americans sending money to family members and travel to the island nation just 93 miles from Miami, American foreign policy has sought to weaken the Communist regime in Havana through tough economic sanctions.

The Castro brothers, first Fidel and now Raul, have ruled with an iron fist and have shown little regard for human rights. Their enemies, perceived or real, are regularly imprisoned, or worse, made to disappear.

Cuban exiles living in the U.S. and around the world have vowed never to rest until the Communist regime is gone. But, as the pope and President Obama observed, the economic sanctions and other measures designed to punish the government have not worked.

Francis, whose role as a leader of the Catholic Church in Argentina put him on the front lines of the battle for human rights and the fight against poverty in South America and the Caribbean, has long been concerned about the effects of U.S.-Cuba estrangement.

Humanitarian issues

Thus, when Francis wrote to Obama and Castro and invited them to resolve their differences over humanitarian issues, including prisoners, he was doing what comes naturally.

The re-establishment of diplomatic relations will not bring about an immediate change in government in Cuba, which is why expectations should be tempered.

Pope Francis’ continued engagement in the transformation of the island nation is essential — given his standing in that part of the world.