POPE-CUBA/PREPS Final preparations for Pope's Havana visit as Cuba's VP hails importance of Papal visit

Record ID: 141049

  • Title: POPE-CUBA/PREPS Final preparations for Pope's Havana visit as Cuba's VP hails importance of Papal visit
  • Date: 15th September 2015
  • Summary: BANNER WITH IMAGE OF POPE FRANCIS WITH CUBAN FLAG
  • Embargoed: 30th September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA2576XQOHAJROS498G6MX0CFYO
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS MATERIAL THAT WAS ORIGINALLY 4:3
    Final preparations were underway in Havana's Revolution Plaza on Tuesday (September 15) ahead of Pope Francis' visit to Cuba where he will give a massive open-air mass in the iconic square amid warming ties between Cuba and the United States.
    The Argentine pontiff is scheduled to visit from Saturday (September 19) to Tuesday (September 22), making him the third pontiff in a row to visit Cuba.
    Francis' visit is part of steadily improving relations between Cuba and the Catholic Church after decades of strained ties.
    Cuban Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel met with members of Cuba's religious community where he talked up the papal visit.
    "We want to express to you all, to affirm our will to continue expanding this dialogue among us all, which is a base of unity and respect that we have with regards to all the religions without distinction. I think this is a meeting that's necessary at this moment. I propose three issues be addressed, (one) the context of U.S.-Cuban relations, (two) the issue of religious plurality and how to continue building on the basis of religious plurality and diversity-- that systematic dialogue which we want and you would be able to make proposals on other issues that could be implemented-- and also (three) to give you all information regarding Pope Francis' visit," he said.
    Baptised as Roman Catholics and educated by Jesuits, Fidel and Raul Castro turned against the Church by declaring Cuba an atheist state, chasing out priests and shutting down religious schools after seizing power in a 1959 revolution.
    While President Raul Castro has sought closer relations with Latin America's first Pope, relations are complex.
    Earlier this week, the Cuban leader gave an order to release 3,500 prisoners ahead of the pope's visit but on Sunday, detained about 50 people from a predominantly Roman Catholic dissident group as they marched in Havana.
    In their weekly rally following mass, about 50 activists marched outside their authorized route before police pushed, pulled and carried them onto buses.
    Similar incidents have occurred over the last few months. Dissident groups say about 100 people are typically detained each Sunday across Cuba and soon released with dissident groups saying the activity has increased.
    Havana local, Pavel Olivera, said believers and non-believers are anticipating the Pontiff's visit.
    "I think it is a great opportunity to have the Pope here, for believes and non-believers we will all await for him with joy," he said.
    At a briefing on the trip Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said it was "highly likely" that Francis would meet with the island's revolutionary leader, 89-year-old Fidel Castro.
    Resident, Sandra Martin, said Pope Francis' visit could open up Cuba even further to the world.
    "I think that it can open more paths, more paths to open us to the world. I hope so," she said.
    Pope Francis had played a key role in facilitating improved relations between the U.S. and Cuba. Senior Cuban and U.S. officials met at the Vatican before Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro announced historic negotiations to the world to mend relations.
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