“We strongly felt the dream of a “united world” during these days of grace due to the presence of Pope Francis in Cuba. His visit literally left a trail of light! Already the preparations were full of enthusiasm and novelties. In the three dioceses he would visit, the entire communities of the Church started up various initiatives: in the churches and the “mission houses,” groups of young people held meetings in parks, and around the neighbourhood to talk about the Pope – in short, it was a happy and expectant Church! And, as never before, the means of communication (of the state) offered an extensive footage to prepare the Cuban people for this important visit – also from the political point of view, due to the known role the Pope played in reestablishing relationships between Cuba and the United States. The radios, TV stations and press continually announced the visit, with small “catecheses” on the Pope and the Church documentaries on his life, and also that of the other two Popes who had visited the Island. It was surprise and joy for a Church that had for years been isolated by the lack of the means of communication for so many years!» “The Pope arrived like a “missionary of mercy,” with simple words and gestures – often gentle but impressive – he told the Cubans and the whole world that without forgiveness, without practising the culture of encounter and dialogue, it would be impossible to hope for the future. With his very first words he immediately opened new horizons: “Geographically, Cuba is an archipelago that plays an extraordinary key role between the north and south and between east and west. Its natural vocation is to be a meeting point so that all peoples can be united by friendship (…). We are testimonials of an event that has filled us with hope: the process of the normalisation of relationships between two peoples, after years of estrangement. It is a sign of the victory of the culture of encounter and dialogue.” He invited all to “continue to progress on this path and develop all its potentials, as proof of the important service in favour of peace and the wellbeing of its people and the entire America, as an example of reconciliation for the whole world.” In the Mass in Plaza de la Revolución in Havana, he also said: “…authentic life is lived through the concrete commitment toward one’s neighbour, through one’s service,” recalling above all the service of the weakest among brethren. “We are all called due to our Christian vocation to serving others and helping one another not to fall into the temptation of practicing a service that exploits others,” he warned. In his meeting with the youth, the empathy was immediate. To the wish expressed by one of them, of “not wanting to present only their dreams, but of requesting something special that could revive hope…,” Francis answered firmly, “Continue dreaming, because if you offer the best of yourself, you will help the world to be different. Don’t forget: go on dreaming! Dream and recount your dreams. Talk about them since the big endeavours have to be told!” “Many of us – they continued – had the chance to greet him personally, starting not only from the focolarine working in the Nunciature, but also the families, and the youth in the various cities he visited.” The Focolare has been in Cuba since 1998 and the service it tries to offer the Church and society is that of weaving a network of fraternity, bringing “social friendship” which the Pope presented to the youth and to favour “the culture of encounter,” to pursue as a journey of hope. “Many of us were part of the service staff, before and after the visit: some helped the media in organising the events, some gave interviews on the national and international media, or simply stayed in their places along the route the Pope would take, to greet him. In line with our vocation of unity, together with believers and agnostics, we lived and participated in these days of grace.” In the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Charit, Pope Francis left us with a programme: “We want to be a Church that goes out from its homes to build bridges, demolish walls and sow reconciliation. Like Mary, we want to be a Church that is able to walk with its people in difficult situations, committing ourselves with our lives, our culture, society, and not isolating ourselves, but walking alongside our brethren. All together, all together.”