Castro: “If the Pope continues to speak like this, sooner or later I will return to the Catholic Church”

From CNN: 

Cuba has eased its persecution of religion in the last 23 years, but there have been few overtures suggesting the country’s executive office might be finding its faith. That changed Sunday when President Raul Castro said the teachings of Pope Francis had persuaded him not only to take a softer line on religion, but perhaps to return to the Catholic Church and begin worshipping again as he once did, growing up in Jesuit schools. “As I’ve already told my council of advisers, I read all of the Pope’s speeches,” he said. “If the Pope continues to speak like this, sooner or later I will start praying again and I will return to the Catholic Church — and I’m not saying this jokingly.” Appearing in Rome alongside Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi following his first-ever meeting with the Pope, Castro said he would be among the throngs flocking to see the Pope speak during his September visit to Cuba. “I promise that I will go to all of his Masses — and with satisfaction. I left the meeting this morning impressed, very impressed by his knowledge, his wisdom, modesty, and by all the virtues that we know he has,” Castro said.

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