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| Pope Benedict holds huge open-air Mass in Havana | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Large crowds have gathered to celebrate an open-air Mass led by Pope Benedict XVI in Havana. | |
| The Pope is holding the service in Revolution Square, on the final day of his visit to the country. | |
| He is also due to meet the revolutionary leader and former President, Fidel Castro. | |
| Fidel Castro, who also met Pope John Paul II when he visited the island in 1998, said he requested a few minutes with the Pope. | Fidel Castro, who also met Pope John Paul II when he visited the island in 1998, said he requested a few minutes with the Pope. |
| During the three-day visit, Pope Benedict has had to tread carefully, with activists calling for greater intervention from the Church to promote human rights. | During the three-day visit, Pope Benedict has had to tread carefully, with activists calling for greater intervention from the Church to promote human rights. |
| In what appeared to be a reference to dissidents, the Pope offered a prayer for "the needs of those who suffer, of those who are deprived of freedom, those who are separated from their loved ones". | In what appeared to be a reference to dissidents, the Pope offered a prayer for "the needs of those who suffer, of those who are deprived of freedom, those who are separated from their loved ones". |
| And when he met President Raul Castro, the pontiff pushed for a bigger role for the Church and asked for Good Friday to be made a national holiday. | And when he met President Raul Castro, the pontiff pushed for a bigger role for the Church and asked for Good Friday to be made a national holiday. |
| But he has no plans to meet members of the Cuban opposition, some of whom were barred from leaving their homes ahead of the Pope's visit. | But he has no plans to meet members of the Cuban opposition, some of whom were barred from leaving their homes ahead of the Pope's visit. |
| Are you Cuba? What is your reaction to the Pope's visit? Are you attending the open-air mass? You can send us your views and experiences using the form below. | |
| Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | |
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