WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US President Barack Obama recognized contribution of Pope Francis toward normalization of relations between the United States and Cuba during a welcoming ceremony at the White House on Wednesday.
“Holy Father, we are grateful for your invaluable support of our new beginning with the Cuban people, which holds out the promise of better relations between our countries,” Obama said.
The US president added that the new start in US-Cuban relations will lead to greater cooperation across the hemisphere, and could improve life of the Cuban people.
In July, Washington officially resumed diplomatic ties with Havana as the two countries reopened embassies in their respective capitals after five decades of animosity.
Pope Francis and the Vatican played key roles in helping the two nations achieve the breakthrough.
The pontiff arrived in the United States with the first official visit on Tuesday. Prior to that, he traveled to Cuba, where the pope held services and talks with Cuban President Raul Castro.
