As Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Cuba on Sunday, Cuban-Americans did the same here in South Florida – but most prayed that the Pope would convince Cuba’s communist leader, Raúl Castro, to adopt more democratic reforms on the island.

Father Lombardi said that the Pope was “very happy about this meeting, the members of the family of Fidel were present, and the conversation was informal and familiar”.

Fidel Castro’s gift to the pope, “Fidel and Religion: Castro Talks on Revolution and Religion With Frei Betto”, contains a series of interviews the Cuban revolutionary did with Betto, a Brazilian priest.

People wave Cuban and Papal flags as Pope Francis passes by as he arrives to perform Mass on September 20, 2015 in Revolution Square in Havana, Cuba.

Pope Francis met with the country’s longtime former ruler, Fidel Castro, and shared words of peace and hope after a special mass.

The Pope praised improved co-operation between the Cuban government and the Church on Saturday, but called for the Church in Cuba to have “the freedom and the means” to pursue its mission.

In what government foes could see as criticism of party bureaucracy, the pope said Jesus’ apostles foolishly argued about rank and he compared it to “those who climb the ladder most quickly to take the jobs which carry certain benefits”.

Pope Francis, who is at the start of his Cuba and United States trip, has been credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic ties between both countries.

“Francisco is the missionary who will now go to the United States and wants to unite our two peoples”, said Carlos Berejano from the neighboring province of Granma.

During that time he will meet with President Obama, give a speech before a joint session of Congress and say mass several times.

Cuban President Raul Castro and Argentine President Cristina Kirchner join thousands of worshipers to welcome pope.

The pontiff travels to Holguin, the home province of Fidel and Raul Castro.

“Today, I ask you to care for this vocation of yours”.

The greatness of a people and a nation, he said, was how it serves the vulnerable.

While the crowds at the Mass cheered the Pope, many other Cubans were less impressed by his visit.

The dissidents belong to the Cuban Patriotic Union, said its leader, Jose Daniel Ferrer. The Vatican said no official meeting with the dissidents was planned but its embassy in Havana did contact leaders as a “sign of attention to these people”, according to a Vatican spokesman.