This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-34303109
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Pope Francis arrives for first visit to Cuba | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Pope Francis has arrived in the Cuban capital, Havana, on his first visit to the island. | |
| He will spend four days in Cuba before flying to the US. | He will spend four days in Cuba before flying to the US. |
| The first pope to hail from Latin America, Pope Francis is credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries. | The first pope to hail from Latin America, Pope Francis is credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic relations between the two countries. |
| President Raul Mr Castro has thanked the Pope for his contribution. Cities on the Pope's itinerary have been renovated in preparation for the visit. | President Raul Mr Castro has thanked the Pope for his contribution. Cities on the Pope's itinerary have been renovated in preparation for the visit. |
| On Thursday the Vatican said it hoped it would help bring to an end the 53-year-old US embargo and lead to more freedom and human rights on the island. | On Thursday the Vatican said it hoped it would help bring to an end the 53-year-old US embargo and lead to more freedom and human rights on the island. |
| On Friday the US announced eased restrictions on business and travel with Communist Cuba, the latest move by President Barack Obama to improve relations. | |
| Retiree Diego Carrera told AP the visit was "like a breath of hope blowing over Cuba'' because of the role that the Pope played in the reestablishment of relations with the U.S. | Retiree Diego Carrera told AP the visit was "like a breath of hope blowing over Cuba'' because of the role that the Pope played in the reestablishment of relations with the U.S. |
| Cristina Fernandez Kirchner, president of the Pope's native Argentina, also arrived on the island on Saturday and will attend a Mass to be celebrated by him on Havana's iconic Revolution Square. | Cristina Fernandez Kirchner, president of the Pope's native Argentina, also arrived on the island on Saturday and will attend a Mass to be celebrated by him on Havana's iconic Revolution Square. |
| Workers have been building a huge altar and stands for the congregation and choir on the square. | Workers have been building a huge altar and stands for the congregation and choir on the square. |
| Ahead of Pope Francis's visit, streets have been newly paved in Havana, and the cathedral has been renovated. | Ahead of Pope Francis's visit, streets have been newly paved in Havana, and the cathedral has been renovated. |
| The airport terminal has also been renovated. | The airport terminal has also been renovated. |
| In the city of Holguin where the Pope will celebrate Mass on Monday, the cathedral has been repaired and repainted. | In the city of Holguin where the Pope will celebrate Mass on Monday, the cathedral has been repaired and repainted. |
| Officials say nearly 1,000 Cuban and foreign journalists are expected to cover the visit. | Officials say nearly 1,000 Cuban and foreign journalists are expected to cover the visit. |
| Francis's trip will also take him to the US for the first time as Pope. | Francis's trip will also take him to the US for the first time as Pope. |
| In 1998 Pope John Paul II became the first Pope to visit the island, saying: "May Cuba... open itself up to the world, and may the world open itself up to Cuba." | |
| His successor Pope Benedict XVI also visited Cuba in 2012. |