Thanks to the Pope's diplomacy, Cuba is moving out of the international isolation imposed under the United States' embargo and paid at a very high cost by the civilian population, especially the children and the elderly who have been deprived of prescription drugs. High-ranking officials are divided between those who are enthusiastic about the Pope's visit and the prospect of improved social conditions and those who fear losing their privileges, especially those who were responsible for the arrest of several dissidents before the Pope celebrated Mass in Havana. The elderly Fidel Castro manifested a patent interest for the Pope's teachings in defence of the environment and the poor while the more jovial Raul Castro never ceases expressing his appreciation and respect for the Pope and even followed him to Holguin. Pope Francis said that the Gospel warns against prejudice, resisting change and political correctness. "Jesus' love heals our short-sightedness and pushes us to look beyond, not to be satisfied with appearances or with what is politically correct," he said when commenting on the Gospel episode on the conversion of Matthew, the tax collector who converted at a glance of the Lord, from which Pope Francis drew his episcopal motto "Miserando atque eligendo". "How strong was the love in that look of Jesus, which moved Matthew to do what he did!...
  Jesus goes before us, he precedes us; he opens the way and invites us to follow him. He invites us slowly to overcome our preconceptions and our reluctance to think that others, much less ourselves, can change." He went on: "For Matthew and for all who have felt the gaze of Jesus, other people are no longer to be 'lived off', used and abused. The gaze of Jesus gives rise to missionary activity, service, self-giving. Jesus' love heals our short-sightedness and pushes us to look beyond, not to be satisfied with appearances or with what is politically correct." The Pope added: "We must share his tenderness and mercy with the sick, prisoners, the elderly and families in difficulty. Again and again we are called to learn from Jesus, who always sees what is most authentic in every person, which is the image of his Father". (AGI)