Benedict XVI officiated two masses during his visit to Cuba.

Havana, Jan 1 (RHC) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez expressed his condolences on Saturday for the death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the age of 95.

Through his Twitter account, the foreign minister recalled the pontiff's apostolic visit to the Caribbean nation a decade ago.

The stay of the former head of state of the Holy See on the island was framed in the Jubilee Year for the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of the Virgin of Caridad del Cobre, considered by Catholics as the Patron Saint of this nation.

His first contact with the inhabitants of the Caribbean nation took place in the city of Santiago de Cuba, where he was received upon his arrival at the Antonio Maceo International Airport by the then-Cuban president, Raul Castro, before being greeted by the people during his walks through the streets of the city.

It was there where Benedict XVI officiated the first of two masses celebrated by him in the country, for which, according to estimates, more than 200 thousand people gathered at the Antonio Maceo Revolution Square.

In that and other activities, the prelate was able to appreciate the cordiality and respect of the inhabitants, who came out to greet him in different scenarios and watched the passage of the panoramic car known as the popemobile.