Havana, Sep 8 (RHC)-- In churches or homes, many Cubans celebrate Wednesday, the day of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Patron Saint of the island since 1916, and a sacred image for more than 400 years.

According to Catholic tradition, in 1612, three salt prospectors found in Nipe Bay (east) an image of the Virgin Mary floating on a board that read 'I am the Virgin of Charity.

In the Vatican, Pope Francis recalled the date.

With a grateful memory of my pilgrimage to her Shrine in September 2015, I want to present once again at the feet of the Virgin of Charity the life, dreams, hopes, and pains of the people of Cuba, he said.

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, for his part, expressed his respects to his compatriots believers in the Virgin of Regla and the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, patroness of Cuba.

My respects for the Cuban devotees of the Virgin of Regla and the Patron Saint of Cuba, the Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, which are honored on September 7 and 8, respectively, he wrote on Twitter.

"I thank and accompany their prayers for the health and prosperity of the nation, the head of Government added in his message.