Pope Francis met with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Cuba today after this morning's Mass, Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi said.<br />The pope then went to back to the Nunciature, and then with a small group, he went to Fidel Castro's home for another meeting.<br />Castro’s wife was also there with his children and grandchildren.<br />They were together for about 30 to 40 minutes.<br />Francis gave Castro several books, a book and two CDs of homilies and a copy of his two encyclicals.<br />In return, Castro gave Francis an interview book entitled, "Fidel and Religion," written in 1985 by Freitas Betto.<br />Fidel wrote a dedication in it: "For Pope Francis, on occasion of his visit to Cuba, with the admiration and respect of the Cuban people."<br />The atmosphere was "familiar and informal," Father Lombardi said, and the conversation centered around "protecting the environment and the great problems of the contemporary world."<br />Francis began a busy day in Cuba by holding Mass this morning in Havana's Revolution Square.
