After papal request, Cuba makes Good Friday 2012 a national holiday

Pope Benedict XVI (L) is received by Cuba's President Raul Castro at the Revolution Palace in Havana March 27, 2012.

The Vatican spokesman praised Cuba’s decision to accept Pope Benedict XVI’s request to make Good Friday a national holiday this year.

“It is certainly a very positive sign,” Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, the Vatican spokesman, said April 1.

Good Friday, the commemoration of Jesus’ passion and death, falls on April 6 this year.

During the pope’s private meeting with Cuban President Raul Castro in Havana March 27, the pope asked for further freedoms for the Catholic Church in the communist nation, including the declaration of Good Friday as a holiday.

The Cuban government accepted the proposal March 31 after the pope’s March 29 return to the Vatican.

Father Lombardi said the Vatican hopes that the holiday will enable people to attend religious services and have “happy Easter celebrations.” [more]

SOURCE

CNS