The Cuban government has announced plans to release 533 prisoners “convicted of various crimes" in a gesture to observe the “spirit” of the Ordinary Jubilee Year 2025.
The Jubilee, a traditional celebration of forgiveness and renewal in the Catholic Church, has the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, encouraging initiatives that foster mercy, reconciliation, and reintegration into society.
Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel discussed the potential prisoner release with Pope Francis during a meeting in August 2022 and confirmed the decision earlier this month, according to Vatican News.
The move comes as part of Cuba’s broader engagement with the Vatican and follows U.S. President Joe Biden's decision to ease some economic sanctions and remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism, in a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church.
In his Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year, Pope Francis called on governments to undertake initiatives like amnesties and reintegration programs to “help individuals regain confidence in themselves and in society".
Prisoner releases have historically coincided with Vatican relations in Cuba, including significant amnesties during visits by St. John Paul II in 1998, Benedict XVI in 2012, and Francis in 2015.
The pope also played a key role in facilitating the restoration of diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba in 2014.
"Governments should take concrete steps to help individuals regain confidence in themselves and society," the pontiff emphasised.
Cuba is set to release “many dozens” of prisoners before Donald Trump’s inauguration on Monday.
