HAVANA (WSVN) — Anticipation for Pope Francis’ trip to Cuba is rising and hundreds from South Florida are traveling to the island nation to witness history.
The Papal Mass is expected to bring thousands of people to Cuba. Hundreds of religious pilgrims from South Florida are planning to be in attendance and arrived Friday morning at the José Martí International Airport in Cuba.
7News spoke to the group upon arrival, and they expressed how personal this mass is to them. In terms of geography, it was a short trip for them, but it was a lifetime in the making.
Joyful tears and hugs were on display among reunited family members at the airport. For Martha Serra, the trip is a return to a home she left behind when she was 10 years old. "This is a dream come true," she said.
Serra is fighting for her life after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. The visit of Pope Francis to Cuba finalized her decision to return back to the motherland. "I know that the Catholic church, the Pope is making great strides and that this is the moment, this is the right moment," she said.
Nearly 200 religious pilgrims, including members of the Archdiocese of Miami, are traveling Friday and Saturday with the hope of seeing Pope Francis in Revolution Square. Even before the Friday morning flight landed in Havana, Archbishop Thomas Wenski gave a blessing.
The Pope’s message in the Square will be the highlight for many. This is the third time a pope has decided to visit the communist nation since 1998. "In doing so is an expression of faith that brings renewed hope to the people," Wenski said.
For South Florida pilgrims, this moment is a special one. "I love this pope. I believe in this pope, and I believe that this is the unity of the United States with Cuba," said Frances Gomez who is returning to Cuba. "This is a good time to make the move."
Many travelers have brought toys, medicine, rosaries and shoes. They do not have an organized effort to give those out, but the Archbishop told 7News that in many cases when the moment arises, they will hand out the items.
And while this is a religious journey for many, the politics involved is evident. Much of what we’re seeing now in Cuba is courtesy of the Obama Administration in regards to political change.
An executive order from the White House Friday is bringing even more change. The Obama Administration announced that there will be an expansion of travel to the island starting Monday. More Americans will be permitted, some U.S. businesses will be allowed to open offices and hire Cuban residents as employees, and some Americans will be able to open and maintain bank accounts.
"The Embargo hasn’t changed, we still want Congress to take action to remove the Embargo," said White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest. "But some of the regulatory changes would enhance people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Cuba."
The President’s executive order is the latest in a series of initiatives since the normalized relations over the summer when the U.S. formerly reopened its embassy in August. Thursday, Cuba dispatched its first U.S. ambassador in more than 50 years.
The White House believes these changes will bring political and economic reform for the Cuban people, but critics said that the Obama Administration has it all wrong.
Senator Marco Rubio disapproves of the action. "President Obama’s eagerness to please the Castro Regime knows no bounds. As he keeps offering one-sided concessions that will strengthen the brutal dictatorship," he said.
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen said that the changes "naively fuel expectations of a non-existent new Cuba."
Even though the Cuban government has at times showed to be an inconsistent partner, the administration seems determined to keep with the hope that the changes will lead to progress for the Cuban people.
The religious pilgrims will meet later on Friday night and will prepare for Saturday’s momentous arrival of Pope Francis.