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/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-latin-america-17528294
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Pope Benedict arrives in Havana to meet Raul Castro | Pope Benedict arrives in Havana to meet Raul Castro |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Pope Benedict is in the Cuban capital Havana, where he is meeting President Raul Castro on the second day of his visit to the communist-run island. | |
| There have been suggestions that he could also meet Raul's brother, former President Fidel Castro. | There have been suggestions that he could also meet Raul's brother, former President Fidel Castro. |
| The pope prayed before a statue of the country's patron saint, and told a crowd he prayed for a Cuba "advancing along the ways of renewal and hope". | The pope prayed before a statue of the country's patron saint, and told a crowd he prayed for a Cuba "advancing along the ways of renewal and hope". |
| Cuban officials insist that political reform is not on the agenda. | Cuban officials insist that political reform is not on the agenda. |
| Marino Murillo, one of Castro's vice-presidents and the "economics czar" in charge of liberalisation, told journalists the government was updating the Cuban economic model to make socialism sustainable. | Marino Murillo, one of Castro's vice-presidents and the "economics czar" in charge of liberalisation, told journalists the government was updating the Cuban economic model to make socialism sustainable. |
| "There will be no political reform in Cuba," he added. | "There will be no political reform in Cuba," he added. |
| The pope's visit marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery of a statue of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre - also known as the Mambisa Virgin - which was found floating in a bay by fishermen. It was revered by Cuba's independence heroes. | The pope's visit marks the 400th anniversary of the discovery of a statue of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre - also known as the Mambisa Virgin - which was found floating in a bay by fishermen. It was revered by Cuba's independence heroes. |
| Improving relations | Improving relations |
| The pope knelt for several minutes before the wooden statue, where he said he had prayed for those who "suffer" and are "deprived of freedom". | The pope knelt for several minutes before the wooden statue, where he said he had prayed for those who "suffer" and are "deprived of freedom". |
| The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says change and openness are emerging as the themes of the Papal visit to a one-party, communist state, where Roman Catholics now account for 10% of the population. | The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says change and openness are emerging as the themes of the Papal visit to a one-party, communist state, where Roman Catholics now account for 10% of the population. |
| On his arrival in the country on Monday the pope said: "Devotion to the Virgin Mambisa has sustained the faith and inspired the defence and promotion of all that gives dignity to the human condition and fundamental rights." | On his arrival in the country on Monday the pope said: "Devotion to the Virgin Mambisa has sustained the faith and inspired the defence and promotion of all that gives dignity to the human condition and fundamental rights." |
| Observers say relations between Church and state have warmed in Cuba in recent years. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says if the pope does meet Fidel Castro, it would be a good further opportunity to discuss the processes of change in Cuba. The pope has said the church is ready to help with those changes. | The BBC's Sarah Rainsford says if the pope does meet Fidel Castro, it would be a good further opportunity to discuss the processes of change in Cuba. The pope has said the church is ready to help with those changes. |
| Church officials have said there is no time in his schedule to meet dissidents. | 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. | Opposition groups say dozens of dissidents were detained ahead of the visit, and others were prevented from attending the service in Santiago. |