Pope Thanks South
African Martyr for
Courageous Witness
Pope Meets Fidel
Castro, Exchange
Books
In his Angelus address in September 13,
Though a meeting with Fidel Castro was
Pope Francis remembered the beatification
not on Pope Francis’ official itinerary, the
of South Africa’s first blessed martyr, Samuel
Pope met with the Communist leader on
Benedict Daswa.
September 20.
The beatification Mass took place in
Vatican Radio reported that the Holy Father
Blessed Daswa’s hometown of Limpopo
met with Fidel Castro shortly after this
and was presided by Cardinal Angelo
morning’s Mass in Havana’s Plaza de la
Amato, Prefect of the Congregation for the
Revolución.
causes of Saints.
The meeting, which lasted around a half
After a severe lightning storm on January
hour, included Castro’s wife, children and
25th, 1990 which caused a number of
grandchildren.
thatched huts in his village to catch fire, the
Vatican Radio reported that the Pope
local council agreed to consult a traditional
gave Castro several books, including
healer to identify the witch who was
one by Italian priest Alessandro Pronzato
res ۜ