Cablegate: Vatican High-Level Official to Visit Cuba November 4 to 8

VZCZCXRO7850
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHROV #0109 3071920
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 031920Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1177
INFO RUEHUB/USINT HAVANA PRIORITY 0044
RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 1216

UNCLAS VATICAN 000109

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF CU VT
SUBJECT: VATICAN HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL TO VISIT CUBA NOVEMBER 4 TO 8

1. (U) The President of the Pontifical Council on Social
Communications, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, will visit Cuba
November 4 to 8, according to a Vatican press release. Celli
was invited by the Cuban Conference of Bishops. He is scheduled
to participate in the Bishops' Conference meetings, visit the
San Carlos and San Ambrosio seminar, and take part in the
assembly of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications.
Additionally, Archbishop Celli will deliver a lecture about "the
Church, Communications and Digital Culture" at the Church of
Santa Catalina de Siena in Havana on November 6.

2. (U) Biographical note: Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, an
Italian, became President of the Pontifical Council on Social
Communications in 2007. The Council provides guidance on
journalistic, advertising and media ethics. The Council also
seeks to contribute to the spread of free information "mindful
of human beings' spiritual dimension", and of quality public
entertainment. Previously, Archbishop Celli was the Vatican's
Under-secretary for Relations with States (deputy foreign
minister) and the chief negotiator of the Fundamental Agreement
between the Holy See and Israel. Since 1995 he has been
involved in diplomatic efforts to improve the situation of the
Church in Vietnam. Celli has also traveled to China for
informal talks, and to North Korea and Libya. Before being
appointed to the Council for Social Communications, Celli headed
the Vatican office that manages the financial assets of the Holy
See.

DIAZ

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