Pope Francis met with former Cuban leader Fidel Castro in Cuba today after this morning's Mass, Vatican spokesman Father Lombardi said. The Mass in Havana's Revolution Square was attended by 300,000 people, according to the Cuban government.

After Holy Mass he met a small group and went to Fidel Castro's home for another meeting. Castro’s wife was also there with his children and grandchildren. They were together for about 30 to 40 minutes.

Francis gave Fidel Castro several books, as well as a book and two CDs of homilies and a copy of his two encyclicals.

In return, Castro gave Francis an interview book entitled, "Fidel and Religion," written in 1985 by Freitas Betto. Fidel wrote a dedication in it: "For Pope Francis, on occasion of his visit to Cuba, with the admiration and respect of the Cuban people."

The atmosphere was "familiar and informal," Father Lombardi said, and the conversation centered around "protecting the environment and the great problems of the contemporary world."