Bishops confirms postponement of ad limina visit

CUBA

Due to the worsening socio-economic situation on the island, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba decided to postpone their scheduled ad limina visit to Rome between February 16 and 20. The decision was made after requesting a change of date from Pope Leo XIV, in consideration of the island’s complex situation.

“Given the worsening socio-economic situation in the country, which is generating so much instability and uncertainty, the Catholic bishops have asked the Holy Father Leo XIV to postpone the ad limina visit to a later date than initially planned,” the message to the public states.

The planned trip to the Vatican, as the bishops had previously announced, would be an “opportunity to renew unity with the Successor of Peter, to share the pastoral reality of our dioceses and to strengthen the evangelising mission amidst the challenges our people are experiencing.”

Despite the postponement, the bishops reiterated their closeness to the Cuban people and their full communion with the Pope and the Apostolic See, assuring that they continue to pray for the nation and trusting that the visit can take place at a later date.

The Ad Limina Apostolorum Visit is an ancient tradition of the Church that summons bishops from all continents to Rome to pray at the tombs of the apostles Peter and Paul and to strengthen ecclesial communion.

In this context, the visit takes on the character of a spiritual pilgrimage that makes visible the living continuity of the Church, founded on the apostolic witness. (CELAM)