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Pope calls Cubans to search for 'authentic freedom' Pope calls Cubans to search for 'authentic freedom'
(about 2 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI urged Cubans to search for "authentic freedom" in his sermon at a huge open-air Mass in Havana's Revolution Square.Pope Benedict XVI urged Cubans to search for "authentic freedom" in his sermon at a huge open-air Mass in Havana's Revolution Square.
He warned some "wrongly interpret this search for truth, leading them to irrationality and fanaticism".He warned some "wrongly interpret this search for truth, leading them to irrationality and fanaticism".
Hundreds of thousands of Cubans gathered to hear his words on the final day of his visit.Hundreds of thousands of Cubans gathered to hear his words on the final day of his visit.
Pope Benedict held a 30-minute meeting with the revolutionary leader and former President, Fidel Castro.Pope Benedict held a 30-minute meeting with the revolutionary leader and former President, Fidel Castro.
Fidel Castro, who also met Pope John Paul II when he visited the island in 1998, had requested a few minutes with Pope Benedict.Fidel Castro, who also met Pope John Paul II when he visited the island in 1998, had requested a few minutes with Pope Benedict.
The crowd in Revolution Square was a mixture of the devoted and the dutiful, some having been bussed in by local party officials.
When the Pope arrived, he was driven around the square in his glass-sided car as the crowd surged forward to catch a glimpse. Many Cubans are religious, even if the majority are not strict Catholics.
In the Vatican's own subtle way, this has been a chance to bolster its standing on the island while also gently pushing the case for reform.
It is something which cannot come quickly enough for many Cubans who hope that this visit, like that of Pope John Paul II 14 years ago, will bring basic improvements to people's everyday lives.
His younger brother, President Raul Castro, sat in the front row during Mass.His younger brother, President Raul Castro, sat in the front row during Mass.
Hours before the service began crowds of worshippers started to arrive in the plaza waving flags to welcome the pontiff.Hours before the service began crowds of worshippers started to arrive in the plaza waving flags to welcome the pontiff.
When he arrived the Pope was introduced to chants of "Viva Cuba! Viva el Papa!"When he arrived the Pope was introduced to chants of "Viva Cuba! Viva el Papa!"
One of the many Cubans there, 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."One of the many Cubans there, 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."
Others suggested they were only there because they had been told to go by their employers or teachers and left before the sermon began.Others suggested they were only there because they had been told to go by their employers or teachers and left before the sermon began.
One man, Roberto, told the AP news agency, "I came to do what my teacher said. I checked in, and I'm leaving."One man, Roberto, told the AP news agency, "I came to do what my teacher said. I checked in, and I'm leaving."
The Pope's sermon expanded on the theme that Cuba should build a more open society, based on truth, justice and reconciliation.The Pope's sermon expanded on the theme that Cuba should build a more open society, based on truth, justice and reconciliation.
During the three-day visit some activists have urged greater intervention from the Church to promote human rights.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".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.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.
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.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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