Cuba’s statement refers to Pope Francis’ call to release prisoners during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope, which began on Dec. 24, 2024, at the Vatican.

The Cuban government announced that it would release hundreds of political prisoners, citing inspiration from Pope Francis' emphasis on mercy for prisoners during the Jubilee Year.

The Vatican’s secretary of state called the gradual release of 553 prisoners in Cuba “a sign of great hope” at the beginning of the Jubilee Year.

Cuba started releasing some prisoners Wednesday as part of talks with the Vatican, a day after President Biden's administration announced his intent to lift the U.S. designation of the island nation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

President Joe Biden has notified Congress of his intent to lift the U.S. designation of Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism, the White House announced, as part of a deal facilitated by the Catholic Church to free political prisoners on the island.

The move is likely to be reversed by the incoming Trump administration, as it was Trump who first put Cuba on the terrorism blacklist in his first term