Pope Francis played key role in U.S.-Cuba reconciliation

Pope Francis played a key role in the back-room negotiations between the U.S. and Cuba that preempted Wednesday's historic announcement of renewed diplomatic relations between the two countries.

See also: Pope Francis is coming to the U.S. next year

President Obama thanked the Pope for his involvement in the talks during his televised speech on the historic development.

SAO: Vatican played a role too. Pope Francis personally issued appeal letter to Obama and Castro calling on them to resolve Gross case.

— Sam Stein (@samsteinhp) December 17, 2014

"In particular, I want to thank his Holiness Pope Francis, whose moral example shows us the importance of pursuing the world as it should be, rather than simply settling for the world as it is," said Obama. Read more...

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