Havana, September 19 (RHC)-- A young Cuban Catholic journalist has asked Pope Francis during a video-conference to intercede towards the lifting of the U.S. blockade of Cuba, following his role in the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Washington and Havana.

Ramon Crespo, who works for the Center for Sustainable Development in western Pinar del Rio province, was one of five Cuban youngsters who, along with others from the U.S., held a direct video-conference with Pope Francis.

The exchange focused on the young people's views on the environment, biodiversity, poverty, inequality and other issues.  The conversation came in at the initiative of Scholas, an education-oriented entity linked to the Holy See.

The Cuban youths contributed ideas on how to cushion, from the local scenarios, the damages caused by natural phenomena and social inequalities.

The five young Cubans, whose ages range from 18 to 25, are members of the People's Network of Educators and the Ecumenical Network of Faith for Cuba, which is linked to the Havana-based Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Center and are involved in community and social programs.