Pope pays homage to patron saint of Cuba calling for faith and changes
on Tuesday, EL COBRE, Cuba (Reuters) – Pope Benedict XVI will visit the sanctuary of El Cobre, a small town near Santiago de Cuba that is home to the Virgen de la Caridad, a national symbol that has given strength to the Church to bid on a greater role in the middle of the transformations facing the Socialist nation. The Holy Father asked Cubans to build a new society “open and fair” during its multitudinous mass on Monday in Santiago, first stop of a three day trip that many expect will generate greater openness of the Government to deal with sensitive political freedoms and human rights issues. “The wake of so many pilgrims, also I would like to go to the copper to prostrate at the feet of the mother of God (and) ask her intercession for the destinations of this beloved nation guided by the paths of Justice, peace, freedom and reconciliation”, said upon his arrival in the country after visiting Mexico. Last year, the procession of a replica of the image throughout the island revived the faith in a country that was officially atheist until 1992 and led to the visit of the Pope 14 years before John Paul II smoothed over the hostile relationship which existed between the Church and the Government since the triumph of the revolution in 1959. Pilgrimage to celebrate the anniversary number...
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