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Pope Francis Grieves Over The Death Of Excommunicated Atheist Dictator Fidel Castro
The Daily Caller ^ | 11/26/2016 | Russ Read

Posted on 11/26/2016 7:26:50 PM PST by 2nd amendment mama

Pope Francis sent his condolences following the death of infamous atheist and former Cuban President Fidel Castro Saturday.

“I express to you my sentiments of grief,” said Francis in a message to Castro’s brother, President Raul Castro. He noted that he grieved over the “sad news” and would pray for the former dictator.

Castro died Friday night at the age of 90. He was baptized Catholic and educated by the same Jesuit order to which Francis belongs. Despite his religious upbringing, Castro was a vocal atheist and declared Cuba an atheist state when he rose to power in 1959. He suppressed the Catholic church during his reign, sending priests to re-education camps and restricting the celebration of holidays. Castro was reportedly excommunicated under an anti-Communist decree by Pope Pius XII in 1962

The Catholic church lived on in Cuba, despite the Castro regime’s best efforts to destroy it. While only ten percent of Cubans are practicing Catholics, half identify as such. The Vatican intentionally maintained relations with Cuba throughout the Castro era, despite its generally anti-Communist policy. Local Catholic charities provided relief work in Cuba, particularly after Castro lessened restrictions on religion after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict and Pope Francis all visited the island nation in years following the changes.

Francis, like Castro, is a critic of unregulated capitalism. He is believed to have played a major role in the cessation of the decades-long U.S. embargo on Cuba.

“I will resume praying and turn to the church again if the pope continues in this vein,” said Raul Castro while visiting Rome in May, 2015. “I mean what I say.”

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Send tips to russ@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.


TOPICS: Cuba; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: castro; catholic; fidelcastro; pope; popefrancis; popemarxist
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To: 2nd amendment mama

121 posted on 11/29/2016 7:56:53 AM PST by Gamecock (Gun owner. Christian. Pro-American. Pro Law and Order. I am in the basket of deplorables.)
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To: 2nd amendment mama

Well the pope is an atheist in my opinion. He certainly does not believe in the Jesus Christ that I serve. This pope is as lost as a ball in high weeds. He seriously needs to repent on his knees and ask Jesus Christ to forgive him for his WRONG beliefs and stop telling people, like atheists and homos that they can go to heaven if they only do GOOD WORKS!!! WRONG WRONG AND WRONG!!! The Bible makes it clear that it is NOT about works. If is about FAITH!!


122 posted on 11/29/2016 8:23:05 AM PST by RetiredArmy (Believe or not, we R in the Last Days of human history. Jesus is coming back, & soon! RU saved?)
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To: Bryanw92

He ain’t my Pope. Benedict , yes. The Jesuits need to be banished from Catholicism.


123 posted on 11/29/2016 5:15:25 PM PST by acapesket (all happy now?)
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To: acapesket

I sense a disruption in the Force


124 posted on 11/29/2016 6:10:23 PM PST by Elsie (Heck is where people, who don't believe in Gosh, think they are not going...)
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