Latin America’s Communists Try to Claim ‘Dear Friend’ Pope Francis as Their Own

The Marxist leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Colombia all offered statements honoring the legacy of the late Pope Francis on Monday, embracing him as a friend to their cause.

The most vocal praise came from Cuba, where dictator Raúl Castro – who once joked he would return to the Catholic Church if Pope Francis “kept it up” – called him a “dear friend” and credited him with making the Church more palatable to the Communist Party leadership. Figurehead President Miguel Díaz-Canel similarly lauded Pope Francis as “unforgettable” and credited him with making Cuba a priority in his service as head of the church.

The Marxist leaders of Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Colombia all offered statements honoring the legacy of the late Pope Francis on Monday, embracing him as a friend to their cause.

The most vocal praise came from Cuba, where dictator Raúl Castro – who once joked he would return to the Catholic Church if Pope Francis “kept it up” – called him a “dear friend” and credited him with making the Church more palatable to the Communist Party leadership. Figurehead President Miguel Díaz-Canel similarly lauded Pope Francis as “unforgettable” and credited him with making Cuba a priority in his service as head of the church.