Words of Trucutú Díaz-Canel to Cardinal Beniamino Stella, during their meeting in Havana:
“There is a very affectionate and very close relationship between Pope Francis and Raúl Castro. We are in agreement with many of Pope Francis’s ideas on how best to eliminate inequalities, on how to strengthen social justice, and on showing concern for the environment… Cuba appreciates the efforts made by the pope to ensure that there is a dialogue between the US government and Cuba and we can resolve the differences we have in a civilized manner.”
Existe una relación muy entrañable y muy estrecha entre el papa Francisco y Raúl Castro. “Nosotros coincidimos con el papa Francisco en muchas de sus ideas sobre cómo eliminar las desigualdades, sobre cómo potenciar la justicia social, la preocupación por el medio ambiente… Nosotros apreciamos los esfuerzos desplegados desplegados por el papa para que haya un diálogo del Gobierno de EEUU con Cuba y podamos resolver de manera civilizada las diferencias que tenemos”.
From Diario de Cuba
It certainly looks like he’s involved, possibly even more than for Thaw 1.0. Obviously, it’s all being done behind the backs of non-regime Cubans and without their input or permission, same as before, only now it’s easier to connect the dots. When the results (surprise!) turn out to benefit Castro, Inc. again, “His Holiness” will not assume responsibility, let alone apologize to Cubans (however insincerely), same as before.
As for the now “upgraded” relationship between the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church and the decrepit illegitimate dictator of a totalitarian shithole, I believe the term for that is un baboseo indigno y repugnante.
I suppose it’s possible that Bergoglio thinks he’s in the process of saving the bastard, but I think it’s much more likely that the latter is playing the pope like a fiddle, as in USING him, for obvious reasons.