The Vatican has announced that the Pope will give deliver 14 of his 18 speeches during his U.S. visit mostly in Spanish, "because he is still not comfortable speaking in English."

The Pope will begin his upcoming trip in Cuba on Saturday, Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, and that it is "highly likely" the Pope will meet with 89-year-old despot Fidel Castro while in Cuba.

Lombardi also said that the Pope will not use bulletproof cars but use open jeeps while he visits both Cuba and United States.

"The 78-year-old Argentine pope had been practicing his English over the summer and had been expected to deliver more of his speeches and homilies in English" writes the New York Post

Asked if there was any symbolism in the fact that Francis had chosen to deliver so many speeches in Spanish, Lombardi said: “I don’t think that is the intention … He feels more comfortable (with Spanish). The real reason is the ease of expression and that he will have to make less effort.”

Two of the Pope's major speeches will be in English, one at the White House welcoming reception and another when he address the U.S. Congress on September 23rd. "His speech at the UN General Assembly, however, and the homilies of all his Masses will be in Spanish."

The Pope will arrive in Washington D.C. on September 22nd.