Pope Francis meets Castro brothers after delivering veiled critique of ideology at mass

Pope Francis has met with Fidel and Raul Castro, the brothers who have ruled Cuba since its 1959 revolution.

In what is sure to become an emblematic moment of his tour of Cuba and the United States - the Cold War enemies whose reconciliation he helped bring about - the pope chatted with former leader Fidel Castro at his home in Havana, then held a closed-door meeting with current president Raul at government headquarters.

Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the pope had a “very informal and friendly” conversation with 89-year-old Fidel that touched on various topics, including the environment.

Francis, 78, gave the former Cuban leader four books, including two on theology.

Castro reciprocated with a copy of Brazilian priest Frei Betto’s book of interviews with him, “Fidel and Religion,” which he signed, “With admiration and respect from the Cuban people.”

Video of the meeting aired on Cuban state TV showed the men sitting and chatting, Castro clad in a tracksuit - his trademark outfit in retirement.