The world is shaken by the news that Pope Francis has passed away. Cubans, Catholic or not, share the grief over the loss of a man who loved peace and defended Latin Americans from the very beginning.
Many had the opportunity to hear his prayers and his beliefs; others had the good fortune to accompany him on his visits to Cuba, but few had the privilege of conversing with him and sharing a memorable day where they spoke of peace, faith, hope, and sincere friendship.
In this municipality, a Calixteño had the privilege of being chosen to be very close to the Supreme Pontiff during his visit to the city of Holguín nearly ten years ago. Deacon Pedro Desdín Morales, representative of the Catholic Church in our territory.
This is how he recalls that exciting moment: "Before the Pope arrived, a delegation came to Holguín. We were gathered together, and the Vatican's Chief of Protocol asked, 'Who is Pedro?' I responded immediately. He said, 'The Pope wants you to be the one to personally assist him and care for him at Mass.' Imagine the excitement and the responsibility."
And the eternal teacher Desdín, retired with more than forty years of experience in education, continues: "And so it was. I had the opportunity to talk with him before and after Mass. It was a very beautiful opportunity. I had that privilege, and God knows why. He needed me, and I served him," he added.
"Everything was very beautiful. I had the chance to appreciate up close how much goodness, simplicity, and humility there was in that person, in that human being."
And Pedro adds, "He seemed like a Latin American Pope; that's how he behaved. He always defended the poorest, the most needy. Some called him a "Communist Pope," because of his personality, because he always defended his position in any scenario."
[Deacon Pedro Desdín (in red on the left) at Pope Francis' Mass in the city of Holguín, in 2015] Deacon Pedro Desdín (in red on the left) at Pope Francis' Mass in the city of Holguín, in 2015
