Pope Francis on Sunday hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a “gesture of great hope” that he prayed would be undertaken elsewhere, as he welcomed an agreement the Vatican helped facilitate as part of a three-way dialogue with Washington and Havana that dates back to the Cuban missile crisis.

Pope Francis has praised Cuba's decision to release 553 prisoners as a sign of hope, facilitated by Vatican-brokered discussions involving the US. This move aligns with the pope's tradition of urging clemency during Holy Years.

The Cuban government’s announcement of the prisoner release dated Jan. 14 cited 'the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025' and noted Pope Francis’ mediation in the negotiations.

HAVANA (AP) — Cuba on Thursday released prominent dissident José Daniel Ferrer from prison, as part of a government decision to gradually free more than 500 prisoners following talks with the Vatican.

Pope Francis on Sunday hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a "gesture of great hope" that he prayed would be undertaken elsewhere, as he welcomed an agreement the Vatican helped facilitate as part of a three-way dialogue with Washington and Havana that dates back to the Cuban missile crisis.

Pope Francis received one of the U.S.'s top honors, published a memoir, and facilitated relations between Washington and Havana.

Cuba has started releasing some prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after President Joe Biden's administration announced his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism.

Someone in the queue behind him said “let’s hope he accepts”, but he was, it seems, deaf to all the signs he was in the running. An archbishop asked him, would he accept? “No cardinal can say no”, he said.

In the hours after President Joe Biden lifted its status as a state sponsor of terrorism, Cuba began releasing some of its prisoners.

WASHINGTON/HAVANA, Jan 14 (Reuters) - The Biden administration said ... his government planned to "gradually" release 553 prisoners following talks with Pope Francis. Cuba faced sharp criticism from rights groups, the United States and the European Union ...

The Biden administration announced on Tuesday it will remove Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list – a move taken in the twilight of the administration that is likely to reversed by the incoming team.

Hundreds more Cuban dissidents are expected to be released in the coming days in a deal with President Biden, but even a top beneficiary is balking.