Pope Francis on Sunday hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a “gesture of great hope” that he prayed would be undertaken elsewhere, as he welcomed an agreement the Vatican helped facilitate as part of a three-way dialogue with Washington and Havana that dates back to the Cuban missile crisis.

The Cuban government announced that it would release hundreds of political prisoners, citing inspiration from Pope Francis' emphasis on mercy for prisoners during the Jubilee Year.

The Cuban government’s announcement of the prisoner release dated Jan. 14 cited 'the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025' and noted Pope Francis’ mediation in the negotiations.

Cuba’s statement refers to Pope Francis’ call to release prisoners during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, which began on Dec. 24, 2024, at the Vatican.

The Vatican has consistently kept the administration appraised of the potential actions that Cuba will be undertaking. Biden spoke this week to Pope Francis by phone, giving the administration confidence in the strength of the dialogue, the official conveyed.

The deal, which comes less than a week before President-elect Donald Trump’s return to the White House, also includes rolling back a 2017 memorandum issued during his first term.

President Joe Biden has notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

This week on “Inside the Vatican,” Ricardo speaks with Gerry about Pope Francis’ criticism of U.S. mass deportations and Cuba's Vatican-backed plan to release 533 political prisoners.

Cuba said this week that it was releasing 553 prisoners “in the spirit of" Francis' 2025 Holy Year and had informed the pope of its decision ahead of time. The move came a day after the Biden ...

Pope Welcomes Cuba's Prisoner Release Following Talks With Vatican as Part of Long-Standing Dialogue ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Sunday hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a “gesture of ...

Cuba said this week that it was releasing 553 prisoners “in the spirit of” Francis’ 2025 Holy Year and had informed the pope of its decision ahead of time. The move came a day after the ...

Israel’s Cease-Fires in Lebanon and Gaza Appear Fragile Israeli forces killed at least 15 people and injured dozens more in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanese officials said. In Gaza, Israel ...