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Pope Benedict arrives for three-day Cuba visit Pope Benedict meets Raul Castro at start of Cuba visit
(about 3 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI has arrived in Cuba at the start of a three-day stay - the first papal visit to the island for 14 years. Pope Benedict XVI has begun a three-day visit to Cuba - the first papal visit to the communist-run island for 14 years.
The Pope, who flew in from Mexico, was welcomed at the airport by President Raul Castro as well as military bands and an artillery salute. The Pope, who flew in from Mexico, was welcomed to the eastern city of Santiago by President Raul Castro.
The pontiff said he had come as a pilgrim of charity, and would pray for peace, liberty and reconciliation. The Pontiff said he had come as a pilgrim of charity, and would pray for peace, liberty and reconciliation.
He also expressed sympathy with the "just aspirations" of all Cuban people. He also expressed sympathy for the "just aspirations" of all Cuban people, wherever they were.
In his speech at the airport, President Castro said socialist Cuba allowed full freedom of religion. He stressed Cuba was determined to defend its independence in the face of the US embargo. Later, Pope Benedict celebrated mass with tens of thousands of people in Santiago's Revolution Square.
There were crowds of Cubans lining the road from the airport, waving small Cuban and Vatican flags as the Popemobile passed, says the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Havana. President Castro was among those attending the service.
This is a visit the Church hopes will revitalise the faith, in a communist country that was officially atheist until two decades ago, our correspondent adds. At most 10% of Cubans are practising Catholics, but in a politically isolated country like Cuba, this visit is a big event.
Ahead of the visit, Pope Benedict had suggested Cuba's Marxist structure "no longer corresponds to reality" and called for "new models" of government to be put in place. Before he arrived the Pope criticised Marxism, talking of the need for new models.
Despite the criticism, observers say relations between Church and state have warmed in Cuba in recent years. But greeted here by Cuba's communist president, Pope Benedict referred instead to the island broadening its horizons.
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. Some hope this visit can help accelerate reforms in Cuba.
'Excitement and expectation' The Church is looking to boost its standing and influence in a country where so much is controlled by the state.
The Pope is visit the southern city of Santiago de Cuba, near the sanctuary that houses an icon of Cuba's patron saint. It is also a chance to revitalise the faith, after four decades of state atheism.
He has cited the 400th anniversary of the icon's discovery as the main reason for his trip to the island. In his speech at the airport, President Castro said socialist Cuba allowed full freedom of religion and enjoyed good relations with the Catholic Church.
The pontiff will celebrate a Mass in honour of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre in Santiago late on Monday, and will hold another Mass in Havana later in the week. He said Cuba shared the Pope's concerns over global poverty, inequality and environmental destruction.
Church officials have said there is no time in his schedule to meet anti-government dissidents. And he stressed that Cuba was determined to defend its independence in the face of the US embargo.
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. 'New horizons'
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". Both leaders looked back to the visit by the late Pope John Paul II 14 years ago, which Pope Benedict said "was like a gentle breeze that gave new strength to the Church in Cuba".
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. Ahead of his visit, Pope Benedict had suggested Cuba's Marxist structure "no longer corresponds to reality" and called for the adoption of a "new model".
Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend an open air Mass later in the city's Revolution Square. But on his arrival, he recognized Cuba's efforts to "renew and broaden its horizons".
Pope Benedict is also to have official talks with Raul Castro while in Havana. Observers say relations between Church and state have warmed in Cuba in recent years.
Raul Castro has accepted the Church's mediation on issues such as political prisoners, recognising its position as the most influential organisation outside the communist government.
The Pope's visit is seen as an effort to further improve relations and increase the role of the church in Cuban society at a time of rapid change.
Dissidents detained
His visit to Santiago coincides with the 400th anniversary of Cuba's patron saint, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, which he cited as the main reason for his trip to the island.
He will go to Havana later this week and hold private talks with President Castro.
Church officials have said there is no time in his schedule to meet dissidents.
Opposition groups say dozens of dissidents were detained ahead of the visit, and others were prevented from attending the service in Santiago.
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.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.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.
Are you in Cuba? What is your reaction to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI? Please get in touch using the form below:Are you in Cuba? What is your reaction to the visit of Pope Benedict XVI? Please get in touch using the form below: