This is Francis' first trip to onetime Cold War foes Cuba and the U.S.
Pre-selected guests were allowed to approach the Vatican's nunciature.
Francis is the third pontiff to visit Cuba in 17 years.
Pope Francis will celebrate the Mass of canonization for Junípero Serra in Spanish, and several thousand of the 25,000 tickets to the event will be reserved for Spanish-speaking people.
The Pope repeated his call for parishes around the world to welcome in a migrant family.
In a letter, Francis allowed all rank-and-file priests to grant absolution during the Holy Year of Mercy he has proclaimed, which runs Dec. 8, 2015 until Nov. 20, 2016.
The pontiff will visit the country on September 22 for the first time in his life.
His emphasis on mercy in church leadership has raised hope among many such Catholics that he might lift the Communion ban.