A few days after Fidel Castro’s death, many political leaders have reacted to his passing, expressing their condolences to the family. Pope Francis offered “prayers to the Lord for his repose” and hope for the Cuban people.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – Fidel Castro, former Cuban president and leader of the communist revolution, died on Friday in Cuba at the age of 90 years. His brother Raul made the announcement on state television. The Cuban government will mark the leader’s death with nine days of national mourning. The news sparked reactions from governments and leaders around the world. What follows are some of them.
Vatican City
We report the telegram of condolences of Pope Francis (translation by AsiaNews) for dead the Cuban leader:
“Your Excellency Mr Raúl Modesto Castro Ruz,
President of the State Council and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba
Havana
On receiving the sad news of the death of your dear brother, his Excellency Mr Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz, former President of the State Council and of the Government of the Republic of Cuba,
I express my sentiments of sorrow to Your Excellency and other family members of the deceased dignitary, as well as to the people of this beloved nation.
At the same time, I offer prayers to the Lord for his repose and I entrust the whole Cuban people to the maternal intercession of our Lady of the Charity of El Cobre, patroness of this country.
Pope Francis"
China
China's president Xi Jinping praised Castro for contributing to Cuban and world communism. Xi, who heads China’s Communist Party, also said that "The Chinese people have lost a good and true comrade and friend.”
Russia
Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences in a telegram addressed to Raul Castro stating that “The name of this outstanding statesman is considered to be a symbol of an era in the modern history of the world”, adding that “Fidel Castro was a sincere and reliable friend of Russia.”
India
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, following the death of former Cuban leader, wrote on his Twitter account: "Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend” and "I extend my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace. "
North Korea
North Korea has declared a three-day mourning period (28-30 November) for Fidel Castro, state media reported, adding that the Cuban leader was the Korean people’s “close friend and comrade,” who devoted all his life to the prosperity of his country. Authorities also decided to hoist flags at half-mast as a sign of mourning for Castro’s death.
Lebanon
The President of Lebanon Michel Aoun sent a telegram to the Castro family to express his condolences. In it, Aoun says, "The commander of the Cuban revolution left for almost a century a mark on the world's conscience thanks to his long experience, his power to persuade and the esteem with which he was beheld, so that his political attitudes and national debates became a unique approach of its own.”