Pope Leo XIV Warns Towards Violence in US-Cuba Standoff

[ad_1] Pope Leo XIV expressed "nice concern" on Sunday over escalating tensions between Cuba and the USA, urging leaders from each nations to pursue dialogue fairly than confrontation.

Talking after reciting the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace, the pontiff aligned himself with an attraction from Cuban bishops, calling on officers to "promote a honest and efficient dialogue, to keep away from violence and any motion that would improve the sufferings of the pricey Cuban folks."

The attraction comes as President Donald Trump revealed on Saturday the U.S. has begun talks with Cuban leaders, days after signing an government order imposing tariffs on international locations that offer oil to Cuba.

Newsweek reached out to the White Home and Cuban Overseas Ministry by way of e-mail on Sunday for remark.

Why It Issues The papal intervention arrives at a essential diplomatic juncture, with Trump concurrently making use of financial strain whereas opening communication channels with Havana. The president has predicted the Cuban authorities is "able to fall" and recommended the island would "come to us and wish to make a deal."

Cuba had relied closely on oil shipments from allies equivalent to Venezuela earlier than a U.S. army operation ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, whose seize has hit the Cuban financial system exhausting.

Trump's order punishing any nation buying and selling oil with Cuba would add to the financial woes and put strain on Mexico, which has provided vitality and given assist to the island whilst Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum seeks good ties with Washington.

What To Know The pope's attraction marks a major papal intervention in hemispheric politics, explicitly endorsing the Cuban bishops' name for peaceable decision.

The pontiff invoked Cuba's patroness, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, stating: "Could the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre help and defend all the kids of that beloved land." This non secular reference carries specific weight in Cuba the place the Virgin is revered throughout the island as an emblem of nationwide unity past political divisions.

The Pope's emphasis on avoiding "violence and any motion that would improve the sufferings of the pricey Cuban folks" immediately addresses humanitarian considerations amid the escalating financial strain.

Trump's government order signed Thursday targets any nation promoting or offering oil to Cuba with tariffs on their items, primarily pressuring Mexico, which grew to become Cuba's oil lifeline after Trump halted Venezuelan shipments following Maduro's ouster in January.

Mexico's state-owned Pemex had shipped practically 20,000 barrels each day to Cuba from January by means of September 2025, although consultants say that determine has dropped to about 7,000 barrels following U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's go to to Mexico Metropolis.

Sheinbaum warned the sanctions may trigger a "humanitarian disaster" and mentioned Friday she would search options to proceed serving to Cuba. Trump dismissed these considerations Saturday, saying "it would not should be a humanitarian disaster" and predicted Cuba would search a deal. "I believe, you understand, we'll be variety," he added.

Cuba's Overseas Minister Bruno Rodríguez condemned the order as a "brutal act of aggression," accusing the U.S. of "blackmail and coercion." Deputy Overseas Minister Carlos F. de Cossio mentioned the U.S. was forcing "sovereign states to affix the embargo" by means of "tariff coercion."

Anxieties are mounting on the island, with drivers sitting in lengthy gasoline strains this week amid uncertainty about future provides.

<img id="11450319" alt="" caption="VATICAN CITY, VATICAN - JANUARY 31: Pope Leo XIV presides over the blessing of a Marian mosaic and an image of St. Rose of Lima in the Vatican Gardens on January 31, 2026 in Vatican City, Vatican. The natural beauty of the Vatican Gardens was enriched on Saturday with two new images: a mosaic depicting the Blessed Virgin Mary and a statue of St. Rose of Lima. Pope Leo XIV attended the inauguration along with the Ambassador of Peru to the Holy See, Jorge Ponce San Román, and the President of the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Carlos Enrique García Camader of Lurín (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)" src="Pope Leo XIV presides over the blessing of a Marian mosaic and an image of St. Rose of Lima in the Vatican Gardens on January 31 in Vatican City. (Photo by Alessandra Benedetti via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="5000" height="3335" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1536px, (min-width: 768px) 768px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" bad-src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/GettyImages-2259242904.jpg?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> What Folks Are Saying President Donald Trump advised reporters on Saturday: "We're beginning to speak to Cuba…I believe they in all probability would come to us and wish to make a deal. So Cuba could be free once more."

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum mentioned on Friday: "It may trigger a humanitarian disaster" and Mexico would "search options to proceed serving to Cuba."

The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs on X on Sunday: "The illegitimate Cuban regime should instantly cease its repressive acts of sending people to intervene with the diplomatic work of CDA Hammer and members of the @USembcuba workforce. Our diplomats will proceed to satisfy with the Cuban folks regardless of the regime’s failed intimidation techniques."

What Occurs Subsequent Trump didn't specify what stage of outreach his administration has had with Cuba or when talks started, leaving the scope and substance of negotiations unclear.

Mexico's overseas affairs secretary has advised Rubio that sustaining humanitarian assist to Cuba is "crucial" and supplied to function an middleman between Washington and Havana.

Reporting from the Related Press contributed to this text.

<img id="11261860" alt="" caption="" credit="" sourcealt="" sources="[]" fetchpriority="auto" loading="lazy" width="1312" height="121" decoding="async" data-nimg="1" style="color:transparent;aspect-ratio:inherit;object-fit:cover" sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 1312px, (min-width: 768px) 1024px, 100vw" srcset="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=640&quality=80&webp=1 640w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=750&quality=80&webp=1 750w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=1000&quality=80&webp=1 1000w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=1200&quality=80&webp=1 1200w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=1360&quality=80&webp=1 1360w, https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1 1600w" src="https://assets.newsweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Top.png?w=1600&quality=80&webp=1"/> In a polarized period, the middle is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is completely different: The Brave Heart—it isn't "either side," it is sharp, difficult and alive with concepts. We comply with info, not factions. If that sounds just like the sort of journalism you wish to see thrive, we'd like you.

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