The President of the National Assembly of People's Power Esteban Lazo Hernandez,, with the highest political and government authorities in Santiago de Cuba, welcomed at the Antonio Maceo International Airport the Pope Francisco, who conclude here its extensive program of visits to the island.
A children's glee club of catechesis of the Church of Santa Lucia, under the direction of Arasay Machirán, greeted the pontiff performing the song "Welcome, Papa Francisco", specially composed for the occasion by Jesus Estrada, of the city of Manzanillo, Granma province.
After arrival at the terminal, also the Head of State of Vatican City will tour the 22 kilometers that separate the city from the town of El Cobre, where the inhabitants on behalf of the people of Santiago de Cuba will welcome him with respect and hospitality and there he will meet with bishops, priests, religious, seminarians and lay and venerate in private prayer to the patron saint of Cuba, at which time he will sing the guajira "The Virgin of Cobre" and "Ave Maria", vocalists Melvin Rodriguez, Vilma Ramirez Olga Gonzalez and Jorge Catasús diocesan priest.
Tomorrow at early hours, His Holiness will officiate a Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Charity.
There the choir will perform nine Cuban songs among which are "Pilgrim of Charity", "Easter Dinner" and "Mambi Virgin" and the premieres of "Lord, have mercy," Melvin Rodriguez, "Lamb of God" and " Jesus-Heart "Jorge Catasús.
At the end of the church service a small show his Holiness a copy of the request made by the veterans of the War of Independence Pope Benedict XV to declare the Mambi Virgin Patroness of Cuba, at which he will announce the start of the jubilee year to celebrate the centenary of that event.
Then he will see a group of young and sick children, and out of the sanctuary greet the mining town of El Cobre, with a rich historical and cultural tradition.
The Bishop of Rome will tour from Revolution Square Major General Antonio Maceo to the cathedral where he will hold a meeting with Cuban families and from the atrium to greet the focus around the Cespedes Park and bless the villa in Last July turned 500 years of existence.
The head of the Catholic Church will be welcomed by the people with respect, affection and hospitality, as Latin American and knows the reality of the region, but also for its contribution to the process of the restoration of relations between Cuba and the United States