met with Cuban President Raúl Castro to discuss issues concerning jailed political dissidents. Ortega said that there "will be a process and this process has to start with small steps and these steps will be made." The high-level meeting followed by a press conferences was unusual. Cardinal Ortega met with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry on 14 August 2015, prior to Kerry's visit with the Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodriguez; after visiting with Kerry, Ortega stated that the situation was improving. During negotiations to renew diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, Cardinal Ortega, without public announcement, visited the White House and hand-delivered a letter from Pope Francis to President Obama. References External links Nancy San Martin, "From Enemy to Possible Pope", The Miami Herald, April 13, 2005 1936 births 2019 deaths People from Jagüey Grande Cuban prisoners and detainees Cuban cardinals Roman Catholic archbishops of Havana Cardinals created by Pope John Paul II Commandeurs of the Légion d'honneur Knights Grand Cross of the Order of Isabella the Catholic Deaths from pancreatic cancer Deaths from cancer in Cuba Roman Catholic bishops of Pinar del Río Roman Catholic bishops of Havana