Cuba Gives Warm Welcome to Pope Benedict

Cuban President Raul Castro (R) warmly greeted the pope, who said he was coming as "a pilgrim of charity". Photo by CBS

Pope Benedict XVI has begun a three-day visit to Cuba, the first papal visit to the communist-run island for 14 years, which many hope will accelerate reforms there.

The Pope, who flew in from Mexico, was welcomed to the eastern city of Santiago by President Raul Castro.

The Pontiff said he had come as a pilgrim of charity, and would pray for peace, liberty and reconciliation.

He also expressed sympathy for the "just aspirations" of all Cuban people, wherever they were.

"I carry in my heart the just aspirations and legitimate desires of all Cubans, wherever they may be," he said.

"Those of the young and the elderly, of adolescents and children, of the sick and workers, of prisoners and their families, and of the poor and those in need."

Benedict told the audience that he seeks to emphasize "the importance of faith," highlighting the need for good relations between the church and the Marxist state.

Castro welcomed Benedict, saying his country has endeavored for peace and justice, but noted that even "14 years after John Paul's visit," the U.S. economic embargo against Cuba persists.

In his speech at the airport, President Castro said socialist Cuba allowed full freedom of religion and enjoyed good relations with the Catholic Church.

"The Cuban Constitution consecrates and guarantees total religious freedom for all citizens," he said.

He said Cuba shared the Pope's concerns over global poverty, inequality and environmental destruction.

And he stressed that Cuba was determined to defend its independence in the face of the US embargo.

"We have confronted scarcity but have never failed in our duty to share with those who have less," Castro said.

Crowds of flag-waving Cubans lined the street on which Benedict's motorcade traveled, as Cuban state television captured both ground and aerial footage of the trip.

Later Monday evening, Benedict delivered Mass in the city's square, drawing huge crowds as legions of musicians playing wind and string instruments performed during pauses in his sermon.

The visit marks the next-to-last leg of a two-country tour the pope has used to both spread the Catholic faith and address political issues in the region.

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