It could be said that Cubans are happy and "blessed" as the Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba and President of the Council of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, Monsignor Dionisio Garcia Ibanez said, referring to the visit of three Popes of the Catholic Church Cuba.
And it's true, very few people on this planet are so lucky to meet three popes in such a short time. Only 17 years have passed since the first arrival in our country of the leader of the State of Vatican City.
For the inhabitants of this archipelago, especially for Santiago, believers or not, welcome the Messengers of God on earth, for Catholics, it is a privilege.
The first to arrive in Cuba was John Paul II. His pastoral visit to the island was from 21 to 25 January 1998 and came as a "messenger of truth and hope."
In Santiago de Cuba, Saturday 24, Pope John Paul II crowned the image of Our Lady of Charity during the third Mass celebrated in Cuban territory, held in the Plaza of the Revolution Antonio Maceo.
In this large concentration of people, the Bishop of Rome called never forget the great events connected with charity, and recalled the singular place in the mission of the Church holds the Virgin Mary, which John Paul II himself was devotee.
That day, thousands of Santiago were blessed by the Holy Father, while His Holiness took with respect, affection and hospitality of the indomitable people.
John Paul II was in Cuba until January 25 and was dismissed by Fidel Castro, Cuban president at the time, at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana.
At the end of his pastoral visit the Pope said: "I carry with me the indelible memories of these days and a great confidence in the future of their country."
Past 14 years, the March 26, 2012 Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Antonio Maceo International Airport in Santiago de Cuba as part of the second pastoral visit to Latin America since his coronation.
In this province, as "Pilgrim of Charity", he toured the streets of the city, where a representation of the people welcomed and received him with respect and affection that characterizes the inhabitants of this territory.
Later, the Pope made a Mass in Revolution Square and visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Our Lady of Charity, in the town of the same name.
Until this landmark site, the Successor of Peter came as a humble pilgrim to pray at the feet of the Patroness of Cuba -for Catholics, light a candle and profit from the indulgences of the Jubilee Year, which was held to mark the 400th anniversary of finding in the Bay of Nipe the blessed image of the Virgin.
His tour also included a visit to the Cuban capital, where on March 28, at the Revolution Square in Havana made his second Mass in Cuba.
In the farewell at the José Martí International Airport, Benedict XVI thanked samples sincerity of the people and said: "I've been in the depths of my being to each and every one of the Cubans, who have surrounded me with your prayer and affection, giving me a warm hospitality and making me a participant in its deepest and legitimate aspirations ".
Today the inhabitants of the Greater Antilles hope the Pope of the Catholic Church 266, Francisco, who will visit the country from Saturday September 19 to 22 as "Mission of Mercy".
Already, posters and banners with the image of the Pope, adorn the streets of Santiago, as well as banners with the colors of the State of Vatican City and Cuba.
All is joy and jubilation to greet His Holiness with respect, affection and hospitality, proven in previous papal visits to our country.