Five Things To Remember On Dec. 17

1. Bishop Oscar Cantú of Las Cruces, New Mexico, chairman of the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) welcomed the announcement by President Barack Obama of the release of Alan Gross and other prisoners, and of the administration’s action to normalize relations with Cuba, December 17.

2. Both leaders of the U.S. and Cuba gave credit to Pope Francis for bringing the two countries together.

3. The pope, of course, welcomed the news of thawing U.S.-Cuba relations.

4. Today is his 78th birthday. Some did a tango flash mob to celebrate it.

5. God loves you.