Raul Castro: Pope Francis might make me return to Catholicism
Cuban President Raul Castro on Sunday greeted Pope Francis at the Vatican for a "strictly private" hour-long meeting, saying afterword he was so impressed with the pontiff he may undergo a late spiritual awakening.
During the brief session, Castro praised the pope's "wisdom, modesty, and all his other qualities," and thanked him for helping to broker the thawing of relations between Cuba and the U.S.
"If the pope continues to talk as he does, sooner or later I will start praying again and return to the Catholic Church, and I am not kidding," Castro said.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Francis is slated to stop in Cuba later this year before making a visit to Washington.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
Samarkand travel guide: the cultural heart of Uzbekistan
The Week Recommends The mesmerising ancient city blends old and new
By Yasemen Kaner-White Published
-
A 'golden age' of luxury train travel
The Week Recommends Plush new sleeper trains are cropping up across Europe from Norway to Italy
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Nigel Hamilton's 6 inspirational books for fellow writers
Feature The award-winning author recommends works by John Banville, Ann Patchett, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Pope seeks inquiry on if Gaza assault is 'genocide'
Speed Read In a book for the Jubilee 2025, Pope Francis considers whether Israel's war in Gaza meets the legal definition of 'genocide'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Church of England head resigns over abuse scandal
Speed Read Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby faced backlash over his handling of a notorious child abuser
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Catholic synod ends with no resolution on women
Speed Read At a major Vatican meeting, Pope Francis did not address ordaining women as deacons
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Vatican's stand on gender-affirming care
Speed Read A new published document condemns gender transition, calling it a threat to human dignity
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The United Methodist Church has lost 20% of U.S. congregations in schism over LGBTQ rules
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Pope Francis investigates Texas bishop, accepts early resignation of embattled Tennessee prelate
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Southern Baptists expel Saddleback, 2nd church over female pastors, approve further clampdown
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Thousands flock to Missouri to see body of nun who died in 2019
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published