The Vatican released a \u201cCommuniqu\u00e9 of the Secretariat of State,\u201d the day President Barack Obama changed the U.S. relationship with Cuba, mentioning the Pope\u2019s role in the event: \u201cThe Holy Father wishes to express his warm congratulations for the historic decision taken by the Governments of the United States of America and Cuba to establish diplomatic relations, with the aim of overcoming, in the interest of the citizens of both countries, the difficulties which have marked their recent history. In recent months, Pope Francis wrote letters to the President of the Republic of Cuba, His Excellency Mr Ra\u00fal Castro, and the President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama, and invited them to resolve humanitarian questions of common interest, including the situation of certain prisoners, in order to initiate a new phase in relations between the two Parties. The Holy See received Delegations of the two countries in the Vatican last October and provided its good offices to facilitate a constructive dialogue on delicate matters, resulting in solutions acceptable to both Parties.\u201d\u00a0[Con Embargo]<\/p>\n