Francis' visit to Cuba has not fulfilled the expectations created. At least in the international community, where an explicit pronouncement on human rights was expected. The Pope has spoken extensively about dialogue and reconciliation, but the democratic civil service examination has reminded that it is not possible to dialogue if one of the parties is reluctant to do so.

The Pope is not political, although his statements can have a political reading. For example, on issues related to climate change or migration. His strong statements on migration or Economics, had created the hope that he would also speak out clearly on the Cuban status . Since he did not do so, his speech has probably lost strength, and some accuse him of having fallen into a "goodism" from which Benedict XVI and, of course, John Paul II distanced themselves.

According to this analysis, the Pope has missed an opportunity to give a voice to those who have none: the Cubans. Of course, this behavior is planned down to the last detail, largely because a clash with the regime wouldThe Pope's behavior is planned down to the last detail, largely because a clash with the regime would harm the process of opening up with the United States and, in turn, the population. It is the consequence of visiting a dictatorship that is on its way to sixty years in power. It is not the same to criticize capitalism in Brussels or Washington, where there will be no consequences for anyone, than to ask for democracy in Havana or Caracas, where the Church may lose the hard-won spaces of freedom.

In 2015, Cuba and the Vatican celebrate eighty years of uninterrupted but turbulent diplomatic relations. In 1935, Cuban Freemasonry protested the agreement, considering it a surrender to the Catholic Church. In the following two decades, disagreements arose over the teaching of religion in public schools and the approval of divorce. In particular, since the promulgation of the 1940 Constitution, inspired by the Spanish Constitution of 1931.

From then on, the Cuban republic functioned reasonably well. At least, until 1952, when Batista staged a coup d'état. Hardly anyone protested then, since the economic bonanza was enormous, although it did not impact equally - far from it - on all social classes. Havana absorbed most of the country's resources, the poorer the further one went towards eastern Cuba.

It was precisely in the eastern capital, Santiago de Cuba, that the revolution began and culminated on January 1, 1959.the revolution, which culminated on January 1, 1959, began in the eastern capital, Santiago de Cuba. On that day, Fidel Castro addressed the nation from Santiago's City Hall. At his express invitation, Archbishop Enrique Pérez Serantes, who in 1953 had saved him from being shot to death after the assault on the Moncada Barracks, appeared at his side. Shortly afterwards, the prelate described the commander as a "man of exceptional gifts". Like his compatriots, he too believed Castro's promises about the return of democracy, free elections or agrarian reform.... However, he soon began a brutal offensive against all those who were not communists. In particular, Catholics, who had had a prominent presence in the rebel ranks, even in Sierra Maestra there were Catholic chaplains with the express permission of Serantes. Schools were closed, priests were expelled, and the leaders of Catholic Action were imprisoned or exiled.... The Soviet wing of the revolution had taken power.

Since 1992, the relationship has improved. That year, the State ceased to be officially "atheist", and even members of the Communist Party were able to declare themselves believers. In this context, John Paul II traveled to the island in 1998. After his visit, Cuba recovered Christmas Day as a holiday and the control of pastoral action was relaxed. Months before Benedict XVI's visit , in 2010, the new seminar was inaugurated in Havana, an event attended by Raul Castro.

What has the regime obtained in exchange for its tolerance? Basically, to focus Francis' visit on pastoral aspects, without alluding directly to thorny issues (human rights, racism, emigration¿), as well as Francis' mediation in the dispute with the US. On the way, the issue of baptized already amounts to almost seven million Cubans (60 percent of the population), although the Sunday internship leave to a very poor 2 percent, about two hundred thousand faithful.

The Pastoral Plan 2014-2020 announced by the lecture of Catholic Bishops reiterates the need for urgent changes: economic liberalization, free elections and family reunification. The Pope has alluded to the "well-known position of the Church" on those issues, so he considers it unnecessary to reiterate it. As for the Church's own objectives, establishing schools and managing its media. Both demands are utopian, at least in the short term deadline. The regime likes the social activity of the Church, but not the presence of Catholics in public life.

Perhaps the Pope is betting on a long-term sowing deadline, or perhaps he has opted for the evangelical committee : "Be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves".
A good principle, no doubt, to walk in the tempestuous world of diplomacy.