Santiago de Cuba, September 22 (RHC)-- Cuban President Raúl Castro bade farewell to Pope Francis at the Antonio Maceo International Airport in eastern Santiago de Cuba, as the Holy Father concluded on Tuesday a four-day apostolic visit to the Caribbean state.

Also on hand at the official farewell ceremony were other Cuban government officials and Cuban religious leaders, as well as representatives of the diplomatic corps accredited in Cuba and residents of Santiago de Cuba. They said goodbye to the Holy Father and wished him a fruitful visit to the United States -- the final leg of his current international tour.

Before departing for the United States, the Bishop of Rome officiated his third Mass in Cuba at the El Cobre Sanctuary, an event attended by Cuban President Raúl Castro. Later on, he visited the Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba, from where he blessed the city and its residents, and again called for unity among all Cubans.