Lessons from Pope Francis to Pope Leo: Engage U.S.-Cuban Relations

On February 1st, Pope Leo XIV addressed a full crowd in his Angelus address at St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. His message connected to the Gospel by highlighting the “saving of the oppressed”, and “hope… to the hopeless.” After his homily, the tone shifted to the “troubling news regarding an increase in tensions between Cuba and the United States of America.” He then turned toward “inviting all responsible parties to promote a sincere and effective dialogue.” 

The United States’ relationship with Cuba is at an inflection point in 2026. After natural disasters and the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, the Trump administration has begun an economic squeeze as part of its maximum pressure campaign against the small island-nation. The national security issues in the Caribbean are culminating to a boiling point in relations not seen since Castro and Kennedy in 1962. Engagement is needed and the Vatican is ready.

Pope Leo, born in America and of Cuban descent, is uniquely suited for this moment in the diplomatic history between the United States and the Republic of Cuba. He is the first pope from the U.S. and second pope ever hailing from the Americas since his predecessor, the late Pope Francis. Francis, who helped the U.S. fully engage Cuba from 2015-2017 seems to have a guiding spirit towards how Leo can seize this current opportunity. With the history of the Vatican softening the Cuban embargo and repairing diplomatic ties, the Trump administration should heed this call.

This is not the first time that the U.S. has partnered with the Catholic church to navigate crisis situations, The U.S. and Cuban governments worked to release hundreds of political prisoners of the regime in mediation with the Vatican in early 2025. This past October, Hurricane Melissa devastated the island of Cuba, destroying local infrastructure, straining the local economies, and leaving millions without clean water or power. In response, the Department of State sent aid by way of Catholic Relief Services to the island. 

The stalemate in U.S. and Cuban relations is leading to preventable deaths. Embargo-driven lack of medical supplies has forced hospitals on the island to triage who receives care and when. Sparse supplies of clean drinking water have left the Cuban government little option but to deploy water tankers as a desperate stopgap measure while the national grid remains in disrepair, while soaring costs of food have left families in remote areas struggling to obtain basic necessities. ​​Vulnerable Cuban citizens are increasingly caught in the crosshairs of a mounting pressure campaign that has, thus far, yielded few remedies for the island’s fragile infrastructure.

This moment shapes the outcome of peace in the Gulf and wider region. In January the U.S. captured Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, Cuba’s closest ally, and halted oil shipments along with Mexico. Cuba needs immediate relief from the U.S.'s economic squeeze, having been battered by hurricane season and heavily reliant on neighboring oil for its energy sector. The situation is dire and humanitarian action is needed as rolling blackouts occur and the costs for basic necessities are too high. The Cuban government is seeking help from America’s adversaries, Russia and China have pledged support and their involvement may escalate the situation by leveraging a lifeline.

This moment brings together years of personal experience and progress. Over half the Cuban population is Catholic. A child of Cuban immigrants, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio  identifies as Catholic. He has met with Pope Leo on a few occasions so far to work on the disaster relief package and has signalled continued cooperation in the wake of his February 1st address. Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel had worked with Pope Francis and most recently echoed Leo’s words for equal dialogue. 

Cuba’s issues may not be a top priority with the Trump administration, but will become a bigger issue regardless of formal engagement. Ignoring it will only increase the strain on the Cuban people, build more international support, and underscore claims of U.S. reluctance in helping its neighbors. Engagement is already happening: the Vatican has wide connections to the Cuban people, a worldwide support network, and a mission to help all those in need. The Trump administration is already working with Catholic Relief Services and opening dialogue with Cuban bishops at the embassy in Havana.

U.S.-Cuban relations are at a pivotal point in 2026. Pope Leo, in the footsteps of his predecessor, is reaching out to both nations for sincere dialogue and open discussion. Both sides have deep ties to the Catholic faith, which provides an opening for effective diplomacy. The tensions of this moment, caught on the verge of crisis, can be resolved through mediation, conversation, and continued cooperation. On February 12th, leaders of the Cuban Catholic church postponed travel to visit the Pope with meetings centered on the situation. Engagement is needed and the Vatican is ready.