Cuba and Cubans will never be the same again

The scene was repeated again and again during Pope John Paul II's five-day visit to Cuba: Hands were stretched out, flags were waved and welcome slogans were chanted.

A news agency report about a rally at Santa Clara, Cuba, noted that the crowd appeared divided. Thousands were fervent Catholics. But others displayed little emotion, suggesting they were non-Catholics answering Cuban President Fidel Castro's call to turn out en masse to see the Pope.

But even if some aspects of his trip were stage-managed by others, John Paul himself was standing on a solid platform of unshakeable conviction. He was alternately stern, inspirational and bluntly outspoken as he delivered his emotion-charged message. Like a venerable headmaster, he admonished both Washington and Havana. While deploring Mr. Castro's undemocratic regime, he made it clear that the United States will not promote democracy in the island by further impoverishing the Cuban people with its harsh embargo. He also called for the release of prisoners of conscience from Cuba's jails.

There are those who will underrate John Paul. They will dismiss him as an apostle of goodwill who listens, smiles, nods in seeming affirmation, and then goes on his way after offering his hosts a mere palliative that will change nothing. But this was no goodwill tour. It was a challenging and grueling endurance test for a pope who has come to terms with his own mortality. It can also be seen as the ultimate expression of John Paul's burning desire to spread the Christian message to the most distant corners of the globe, even to areas which might be seen as hostile territory. There also were moments when the curtains were pulled back and his Cuban audiences were exposed to some important truths. Cuba and Cubans will never be the same again.

-- The Hong Kong Standard