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Pope Benedict holds huge open-air Mass in Havana Pope Benedict holds huge open-air Mass in Havana
(40 minutes later)
Large crowds have gathered to celebrate an open-air Mass led by Pope Benedict XVI in Havana.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.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. Cubans began to arrive in the plaza overnight and the Pope was introduced to chants of "Viva Cuba! Viva el Papa!"
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. Pope Benedict is also due to meet the revolutionary leader and former President, Fidel Castro.
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. Fidel Castro, who also met Pope John Paul II when he visited the island in 1998, said he requested a few minutes with Pope Benedict.
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". One of the many Cubans at the Mass, Carlos Herrera, told the Reuters news agency: "I come to hear his words, wise words for Cuban people. That helps us. It gives us unity."
During the three-day visit some activists have urged greater intervention from the Church to promote human rights.
When the Pope visited the eastern city of Santiago he said he had prayed 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.
Before he arrived in Cuba, the pontiff had expressed concern that communism "does not correspond with reality" and a belief that Cuba needed to find a new economic model.
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.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.
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