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Cuba has responded to Pope Benedict’s visit by announcing that this coming Good Friday will become a ‘one-time’ national holiday.
Minutes before Benedict departed from Cuba on March 28, President Raul Castro told the Pope of his desire to declare Friday, April 6 a holiday “as an exception, and in consideration to His Holiness and the happy results of this transcendental visit to our country.”
Authorities will decide in the future whether the holiday will become permanent.
Spokesman for the Vatian, Fr Federico Lombardi SJ welcomed the decision, saying he hoped it would lead to greater participation in Easter celebrations.
“The fact that the Cuban authorities quickly welcomed the Holy Father’s request to President Raul Castro, declaring next Good Friday a non-work day, is certainly a very positive sign,” said the Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi.
“The Holy See hopes that this will encourage participation in the religious celebrations and joyous Easter festivities, and that following the visit of the Holy Father will continue to bring the desired fruits for the good of the church and all Cubans.”
Cubans said they were thrilled, if slightly incredulous, to hear of the day off.
“I’m happy I don’t have to work, but really I don’t understand any of this,” said Roberto Blanco, 38. “First they tell us we have to work harder to get out of the economic crisis, and now they give us a day off. The pope comes and we don’t work? I don’t get it.”
Mirta Salgado, a 51-year-old office worker, acknowledged not being at all religious, but said it was better not to over analyze these things.
“The things that happen in my country are incredible. After 50 years of telling us the church is bad, now they say it is good, and we get Good Friday off to boot,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’m not religious, not Catholic, not anything … But whatever, at least this Friday I won’t be working!”
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News category: World.
