Santiago de Cuba - Our revolution passes through tenderness, the joy the proximity to fellow man and compassion always do, and makes us come out of houses to serve others in life, Pope Francis said here today.

During the homily at the Minor Basilica of the Shrine Our Lady of La Caridad del Cobre, the Bishop of Rome said he wanted a church to come out of the temples to accompany life, sustain hope, accompany all the embarrassing situations of our people, committed to life, culture, society.

He called to have the heart and eyes always open to others, meet others to share joys and sorrows, hopes and frustrations, visit sick people, prisoner, those who cry and those who also know to laugh.

He stressed that the Church should sustain unity, build bridges, break walls, sow reconciliation and engage, to serve them, in others' life. He noted that the Cuban lands were visited in the presence of the Virgin Mary and the country grew as part of the devotion to Our Lady of La Caridad del Cobre and from Santiago de Cuba, she custodies roots, and pure identity.

The soul of the Cuban people was forged among pains, hardships that did not fail to extinguish the new faith and signs of resurrection, His Holiness said during the religious service where some phrases in favor of unity and mercy were repeated.