VATICAN HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL TO VISIT CUBA NOVEMBER 4 TO 8

UNCLAS VATICAN 000109 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL KIRF CU VT SUBJECT: VATICAN HIGH-LEVEL OFFICIAL TO VISIT CUBA NOVEMBER 4 TO 8 ¶1. (U) The President of the Pontifical Council on Social Communications, Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, will visit Cuba November 4 to 8, according to a Vatican press release. Celli was invited by the Cuban Conference of Bishops. He is scheduled to participate in the Bishops' Conference meetings, visit the San Carlos and San Ambrosio seminar, and take part in the assembly of the Episcopal Commission for Social Communications. Additionally, Archbishop Celli will deliver a lecture about "the Church, Communications and Digital Culture" at the Church of Santa Catalina de Siena in Havana on November 6. ¶2. (U) Biographical note: Archbishop Claudio Maria Celli, an Italian, became President of the Pontifical Council on Social Communications in 2007. The Council provides guidance on journalistic, advertising and media ethics. The Council also seeks to contribute to the spread of free information "mindful of human beings' spiritual dimension", and of quality public entertainment. Previously, Archbishop Celli was the Vatican's Under-secretary for Relations with States (deputy foreign minister) and the chief negotiator of the Fundamental Agreement between the Holy See and Israel. Since 1995 he has been involved in diplomatic efforts to improve the situation of the Church in Vietnam. Celli has also traveled to China for informal talks, and to North Korea and Libya. Before being appointed to the Council for Social Communications, Celli headed the Vatican office that manages the financial assets of the Holy See. DIAZ