Havana, January 13 (RHC)-- Cuban First Vice President Miguel Díaz-Canel met Thursday in Havana with a U.S. religious delegation, lead by the Reverend John McCullough, President and Chief Executive Officer of the global humanitarian agency Church World Service.

During the exchange, Díaz-Canel explained to the U.S. visitors that Cuban religious denominations play a key role within society, particularly in community programs and the national effort to instill values in the new generations of Cubans.

Reverend John McCullough took the opportunity to express the group's sorrow over the death of Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro.

In statements to the press in Havana, the U.S. clergyman reaffirmed a commitment of his religious organization to making the U.S. Congress understand the need for the blockade policy to be finally repealed so that there could be freedom of movement between the two countries and improved quality of life for both peoples.