Havana, November 15 (RHC/ACN)-– The Cuban Council of State announced today the issuance of a pardon involving nearly 800 inmates. The pardon, said the announcement, was granted heeding a request by Pope Francis to all heads of state on the Holy Year of Mercy. 
 
In the grating of the pardon, aspects like the nature of the crimes committed, behavior while in prison, and length of time served were taken into account. On humanitarian grounds, women, youngsters and sick people are also being released, for a total of 787, reads the announcement, which appeared in today's edition of Granma newspaper.  

It notes that the decision did not include persons sentenced for the crimes of murder, child abuse, rape, drug-trafficking and other major offenses.