Cardinal O’Malley To Accompany Pope Francis In Cuba

By Kim Tunnicliffe
CBS Boston
September 15, 2015

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2015/09/15/pope-francis-cuba-omalley/

Boston Cardinal Sean O’Malley. Photo by Franco Origlia

BOSTON (CBS) — Boston’s archbishop will be accompanying Pope Francis on parts of his upcoming trips to Cuba and the United States.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley is currently in Rome for meetings, but the Boston Archdiocese confirms he’ll be heading to Cuba to join up with the pope for parts of his four-day trip to the communist island nation.

Boston College theology professor Thomas Groom says it’s a smart move for O’Malley to accompany the pope to Cuba because he’s been there countless times.

“He’s a fluent Spanish speaker, he knows the church in Latin America very well,” Groom said. “I think it will make for a more successful trip for Pope Francis.”

O’Malley will also be going to the White House with the pope and other cardinals for a ceremonial event with President Obama.