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| Pope Benedict arrives in Cuba after Mexico visit | |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Cuba for a three-day trip, the first papal visit to the island for 14 years. | |
| The Pope, who arrived from Mexico, will visit the southern city of Santiago de Cuba, near the sanctuary that houses an icon of Cuba's patron saint. | |
| He has cited the 400th anniversary of the icon's discovery as the main reason for his trip to the island. | He has cited the 400th anniversary of the icon's discovery as the main reason for his trip to the island. |
| Ahead of the visit, Pope Benedict suggested Cuba's Marxist structure "no longer corresponds to reality". | Ahead of the visit, Pope Benedict suggested Cuba's Marxist structure "no longer corresponds to reality". |
| He called for "new models" of government to be put in place. | He called for "new models" of government to be put in place. |
| Despite the criticism, observers say relations between Church and state have warmed in Cuba in recent years. | Despite the criticism, observers say relations between Church and state have warmed in Cuba in recent years. |
| President Raul Castro met him at Santiago airport, and will have official talks him with in Havana on Tuesday. | |
| Raul Castro has used the Church to mediate on issues such as political prisoners and economic reform, recognising its position as the most socially influential organisation outside of the government in Cuba. | Raul Castro has used the Church to mediate on issues such as political prisoners and economic reform, recognising its position as the most socially influential organisation outside of the government in Cuba. |
| Pope Benedict's trip to Cuba follows a visit to Mexico, where he celebrated a huge open-air Mass at the Christ the King monument in the central city of Silao. | |
| He urged the 500,000 Catholics gathered for the sermon to look to their faith in response to poverty and crime and to reject violence and revenge. | |
| 'Excitement and expectation' | 'Excitement and expectation' |
| Pope Benedict will celebrate a Mass in honour of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre in Santiago de Cuba late on Monday, and will hold another Mass in Havana later in the week. | |
| Church officials have said there is no time in his schedule to meet anti-government dissidents. | Church officials have said there is no time in his schedule to meet anti-government dissidents. |
| Roman Catholicism is less prevalent in Cuba than other states in the region, but there is still excitement and expectation around the Pope's visit. | |
| One teacher preparing for the visit to Santiago de Cuba told the BBC that Cubans were focused on economic issues and "want to be friends with everyone, not just America but the whole world". | |
| The sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre has been given a $236,000 (£149,000) makeover for the visit, according to Associated Press news agency. | The sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity in El Cobre has been given a $236,000 (£149,000) makeover for the visit, according to Associated Press news agency. |
| A stage has been prepared in the city's Revolution Square. | A stage has been prepared in the city's Revolution Square. |
| Are you in Cuba? What is your reaction to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI? Please get in touch using the form below: | |