Pope Francis has hailed the release of Cuban prisoners as a “gesture of great hope” that he prays will be undertaken elsewhere.

Cuban pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo was released from prison before completing his eight-year sentence for peacefully protesting in 2021, joining several others who were freed after the United

Cuba on Wednesday began releasing prisoners jailed following anti-government protests in 2021, making good on a deal with the Catholic Church that prompted the Biden administration to say it would loosen sanctions on the communist-run nation.

Cuba has released prominent dissident José Daniel Ferrer from jail, as part of a Cuban government decision to gradually free more than 500 prisoners as part of talks with the Vatican.

Cuba started releasing some prisoners Wednesday as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after President Biden's administration announced his intent to lift the U.S. designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

President Joe Biden is to remove the US designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism as part of a prisoner release deal, the White House said on Tuesday. Shortly afterwards, Cuba announced it would release 553 prisoners detained for "diverse crimes". It is hoped these will include participants in anti-government protests four years ago.

There is zero doubt in my mind that they meet all the qualifications for being a state sponsor of terrorism,” he said.

Cuba started releasing some prisoners Wednesday as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after President Joe Biden's administration announced his intent to lift the U.S. designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

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