As the Holy Father makes a pastoral visit to Cuba, we call to mind the many years of oppression and religious persecution suffered by the Cuban people at the hands of the Castro regime. In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Cuba, we pray that some day they may have a society that is more open to religious freedom and more respectful of their human rights. We also celebrate the ingenuity and creativity of Cuban people everywhere, whose pursuit of education, excellence, and family life have made them exemplary members of the human family.