In an not entirely surprising move, the Holy See has announced the Cuban President Raul Castro will meet with Pope Francis for a private audience in the Vatican next Sunday.

President Castro’s visit comes at a moment of transition in Cuba’s relationship with the United States. Both President Obama and President Castro have acknowledged the important role of Pope Francis and the Holy See diplomatic machine in brokering an historic deal just before Christmas, aimed at normalising relations between the two countries.

In particular, Pope Francis wrote letters to both presidents, urging the former foes to resume diplomatic relations.

With the US-Cuba detente process in full swing, Pope Francis has opted to add a stopover in Cuba to his trip to the USA in September when he will also meet with President Obama. In that context, President Castro’s audience with the Pope on Sunday will clearly serve to “prepare the ground” for next September’s visit, the first by Pope Francis to Cuba.

Faced with widespread media speculation about President Castro’s visit, senior Holy See spokesman, Father Federico Lombardi, last night issued the following brief statement:

“I confirm that on Sunday morning May 10, 2015, the Holy Father will receive in a strictly private manner the President of the Republic of Cuba, Mr Raul Castro Ruz. The meeting will take place in the study of the Paul VI Audience Hall.

“As we already know, President Raul Castro has publicly thanked the Pope for his role in fostering the rapprochement between Cuba and the United States of America. The Pope will visit the Caribbean island in September en route to the United States.”

Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi also emphasised that President Castro’s meeting with Pope Francis was strictly private and not an official state visit.