Cuba responds to Vatican appeal over prisoner release

Raúl Castro, President of Cuba, and Pope Francis

 VATICAN CITY -- Italy has ‘snubbed’ Pope Francis’ appeal for “clemency towards prisoners,” yet Cuba has taken the words on board as Raúl Castro allows 787 inmates to be pardoned.

 The announcement of the new measure was released by Granma, the official newspaper of the Castro government, declaring, “For humanitarian reasons, the pardon of women, young people, the sick and those under other categories is granted.”

 The appeal launched last week from St. Peter’s square by the pope, asking global governments for a gesture of clemency towards prisoners, was welcomed by Cuba -- so far the only state to have taken action.

 Granma announced, “The Republic of Cuba’s State Council, in response to the request of Pope Francis, has granted pardon to 787 prisoners.”

 The characteristics of the crimes and the conduct of the prisoners during their sentence has to be taken into consideration. Those guilty of murder, paedophilia, rape, drug trafficking and other serious crimes were excluded.

  During the Jubilee of Mercy ceremony, the pope asked for an act of clemency “for inmates deemed appropriate.”

 The pontiff stated, “On the occasion of today’s Jubilee I would like to make an appeal in favour of the improvement of living conditions of prisoners around the world, so that they fully respect the human dignity of the inmates. In addition, I wish to reiterate the importance of reflecting on the need for criminal justice that is not only punitive, but that is open to hope and the prospect of re-inserting the offender back into society.”

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