Pope Francis on Sunday hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a “gesture of great hope” that he prayed would be undertaken elsewhere, as he welcomed an agreement the Vatican helped facilitate as part of a three-way dialogue with Washington and Havana that dates back to the Cuban missile crisis.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Ricardo speaks with Gerry about Pope Francis’ criticism of U.S. mass deportations and Cuba's Vatican-backed plan to release 533 political prisoners.

The Cuban government announced that it would release hundreds of political prisoners, citing inspiration from Pope Francis' emphasis on mercy for prisoners during the Jubilee Year.

President Joe Biden has notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

The deal, which comes less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, also includes rolling back a 2017 memorandum issued during his first term.

Cuba began releasing some of its prisoners Thursday in the hours after President Joe Biden lifted its status as a state sponsor of terrorism. President-elect Donald Trump gave Cuba the status in his National Security Presidential Memorandum 5 during his first term,

There is zero doubt in my mind that they meet all the qualifications for being a state sponsor of terrorism,” he said.

The Vatican has consistently kept the administration appraised of the potential actions that Cuba will be undertaking. Biden spoke this week to Pope Francis by phone, giving the administration confidence in the strength of the dialogue, the official conveyed.

Pope Welcomes Cuba's Prisoner Release Following Talks With Vatican as Part of Long-Standing Dialogue ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a “gesture of ...

Cuba said this week that it was releasing 553 prisoners “in the spirit of" Francis' 2025 Holy Year and had informed the pope of its decision ahead of time. The move came a day after the Biden ...

Cuba said this week that it was releasing 553 prisoners “in the spirit of” Francis’ 2025 Holy Year and had informed the pope of its decision ahead of time. The move came a day after the ...

Pope Francis delivers his homily during a Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God January 1, 2024 in St. Peter's Basilica. (Photo: YouTube/Vatican Media) Several crucifixes painted on wood ...