Cuban Roman Catholic Cardinal Jamie Ortega has reportedly died at the age of 82.
Ortega was known for having a rare level of political influence in Cuba and played a crucial role in establishing the now-defunct detente between the country and the United States. A series of Masses will be held in the Cathedral of Havana from Friday afternoon through Sunday.
Ortega’s personal secretary told Reuters that the cardinal passed away Friday morning after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was appointed cardinal by the pope in 1994.
Source: Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega, leading political figure, dead at 82 – Reuters