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Cuba: Pope Francis celebrates Mass before thousands | Cuba: Pope Francis celebrates Mass before thousands |
(35 minutes later) | |
Pope Francis is celebrating Mass in front of tens of thousands of people in the Cuban capital Havana, on his first visit to the Communist-ruled island. | Pope Francis is celebrating Mass in front of tens of thousands of people in the Cuban capital Havana, on his first visit to the Communist-ruled island. |
President Raul Castro, a non-Catholic, is attending the event in city's iconic Revolution Square. | President Raul Castro, a non-Catholic, is attending the event in city's iconic Revolution Square. |
The Pope may also meet the leader's brother and predecessor, Fidel Castro. | The Pope may also meet the leader's brother and predecessor, Fidel Castro. |
Pope Francis, who is at the start of his Cuba and US trip, has been credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic ties between both countries. | Pope Francis, who is at the start of his Cuba and US trip, has been credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic ties between both countries. |
After his arrival on Saturday, he hailed improving ties between the two countries as "an example of reconciliation for the whole world". | After his arrival on Saturday, he hailed improving ties between the two countries as "an example of reconciliation for the whole world". |
But he also urged both Cuba and the US to "persevere on the path" of detente. | But he also urged both Cuba and the US to "persevere on the path" of detente. |
Preparations | Preparations |
Security services were seen arresting at least three people who were shouting and attempting to distribute flyers at the edge of Revolution Square as the Mass got under way. | |
On his way to the service Pope Francis stopped to greet some of the thousands who had come out to see him. | |
Ahead of the visit streets have been repaved and the cathedral renovated in Havana. | |
The Mass marks the first time Cubans are addressed in their mother tongue of Spanish by a Pope - Francis is the first to hail from Latin America. | |
At the scene: the BBC's Will Grant | At the scene: the BBC's Will Grant |
From early morning, the plaza began to fill with the faithful who have turned out to worship together and catch a glimpse of Pope Francis as he celebrates Mass. | From early morning, the plaza began to fill with the faithful who have turned out to worship together and catch a glimpse of Pope Francis as he celebrates Mass. |
Thousands of people are gathering under a punishing Caribbean sun for the service, which has echoes of the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1998. | Thousands of people are gathering under a punishing Caribbean sun for the service, which has echoes of the visit of Pope John Paul II in 1998. |
But Pope Francis is a very different man to his predecessors and Cuba is a very different place. He has helped bring about some of that change through brokering Havana's talks with Washington. | But Pope Francis is a very different man to his predecessors and Cuba is a very different place. He has helped bring about some of that change through brokering Havana's talks with Washington. |
And many Cubans - Catholic and non-believers alike - are here to thank him for it. | And many Cubans - Catholic and non-believers alike - are here to thank him for it. |
Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, president of the Pope's native Argentina, is also attending. | Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, president of the Pope's native Argentina, is also attending. |
Pope Francis is also scheduled to meet Raul Castro in a formal meeting, and possibly his 89-year-old brother Fidel too. | Pope Francis is also scheduled to meet Raul Castro in a formal meeting, and possibly his 89-year-old brother Fidel too. |
"If it happens, it will happen (Sunday). And we'll get you the necessary information," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told journalists on Saturday. | "If it happens, it will happen (Sunday). And we'll get you the necessary information," Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi told journalists on Saturday. |
It is not clear to what extent - if any - Pope Francis will address in public the issue of political freedom with either Raul or his brother, says the BBC's Julian Miglierini in Havana. | It is not clear to what extent - if any - Pope Francis will address in public the issue of political freedom with either Raul or his brother, says the BBC's Julian Miglierini in Havana. |
The Pope praised improved co-operation between the Cuban government and the Church on Saturday, but called for the Church in Cuba to have "the freedom and the means" to pursue its mission. | The Pope praised improved co-operation between the Cuban government and the Church on Saturday, but called for the Church in Cuba to have "the freedom and the means" to pursue its mission. |
Both his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, visited the island during their papacy. | Both his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, visited the island during their papacy. |
Francis's trip will later take him to the US, which he will also be visiting for the first time since his election. | Francis's trip will later take him to the US, which he will also be visiting for the first time since his election. |