The founder of a New York-based church group that opposes the U.S. embargo of Cuba said Thursday that former Cuban President Fidel Castro looked strong and animated during a July 31 meeting.

The Rev. Lucius Walker Jr. of Pastors for Peace told The Associated Press he met for several hours with Castro at a Havana-area home while he was in Cuba to organize a humanitarian aid shipment. Pastors for Peace posted two photos of the meeting on its Web site to coincide with Castro's 83rd birthday Thursday.

"He looked good, like he had gained weight, was sharp and articulate. I hadn't seen him for three or four years," Walker said by telephone from New York. "He showed tremendous signs of recovery from a very serious illness."

Castro ceded power to his brother, Raul, after he fell ill three years ago and has not been seen in public since. He stepped down as president in February 2008.

Walker said he also met with Raul Castro on July 26 outside Havana and that the president mentioned "that conversation, in the nature of dialogue, between U.S. and Cuban representatives is under way." Raul Castro didn't offer details, Walker said.

The photos show Fidel Castro standing, his beard thin and gray, but appearing somewhat healthier than previous images taken since his illness, which has not been disclosed. On Wednesday, Cuba unveiled what it says is a recent photograph of Castro that shows him looking healthier than in other pictures since he underwent emergency surgery.

Walker said he and Fidel Castro touched on health care, the U.S. group's aid deliveries to Cuba, and U.S.-Cuba relations.

"He spoke of the respect and appreciation he has for the president of the United States and has a recognition of the many responsibilities being faced by the Obama administration right now," Walker said.

Castro has published scores of essays, titled "Reflections," in state newspapers, including three this month. Walker said Castro "talked about how happy and pleased he is to be able to do his writing, a passion that might have been somewhat limited before because of the day-to-day responsibilities as president."

Cuba's Communist Party newspaper, Granma, published congratulatory letters to Castro Thursday from three convicted Cuban spies serving time in U.S. prisons. "We will never stop being the proud heirs of your work," the headline read.

Cuba's government organized no official events, but Communist youth groups sang "Happy Birthday" at rallies across the island.

Pastors for Peace is currently delivering more than 130 tons of medical, food, construction, educational and other supplies through Mexico to Cuba.

Source: AP