September 22nd, 2015 – The eyes of the world are on Pope Francis’ visit to Cuba and the United States. Bergoglio, in his tenth apostolic journey, is expected today in Washington DC, where he will be welcomed by President Obama and his family. First, however, the Pontiff will visit the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Santiago de Cuba. Today, the Pope met with families in Santiago de Cuba, the second largest city in the island: the event takes place in what is one of the largest churches in the country. And this Cathedral features a touch of made in Italy, as it was subjected in recent years to a recovery and consolidation intervention which saw the participation of a research group from the Architecture Department of the University of Florence, led by professor Michele Paradiso. Paradiso was invited to attend the meeting with Pope Francis by Dionisio Garcia Ibanez, president of the Cuban Bishops’ Conference and Archbishop of Santiago de Cuba, who also wanted to emphasize with the local press the collaboration carried out by the Architecture Department of the University of Florence in the restoration process of the historic cathedral. Following the event, the professor, together with Cuban technicians engaged in the process, will present the restoration works to the Pope, who scheduled his visit to Santiago on the occasion of the 500th anniversary since its foundation. In the cathedral, the Architecture Department of the University of Florence worked, in particular, on the dome, which was in a pre-collapse phase, with works funded by the Decentralized Cooperation of the Tuscany Region. The researchers – supported by the Medina NGO of Borgo San Lorenzo – worked with Cuban partners, including the Archbishop and the Superintendency of Santiago de Cuba and the University of the city. (Gil)
The Pope in the Cathedral of Our Lady, with restoration Made in Italy
