[JSeymourATL]

> The changes follow a rare private intercession by Pope Francis, the Catholic Church’s first Latin-American pontiff, secret meetings between Cuban and American delegations at the Vatican. *Hit-tip to Pope Francis...bien hecho.

[MichaelGG]

I found that the most odd thing here. Obama personally needed a Pope to remind him about Cuba? I mean, it's good a church is doing something beneficial but it sounds strange.

[Shivetya]

as with the phrase, only Nixon could go to China, only the Pope could go to Cuba, if not the US. Pope Francis's reputation is nearly unassailable currently. Cuba being predominantly Catholic gave him an edge no one else would have, him being the first Latin American Pope is icing on the cake