The Catholic church in Cuba says it is delighted by news that Pope Benedict XVI plans to visit the Spanish-speaking Caribbean country next spring.
The Church said the trip would highlight its “rising status and unprecedented rapport” with the communist government in recent years.
The Cuban Conference of Bishops says the Vatican’s announcement that the visit would help mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of Cuba’s patron saint, the Virgin of our Lady of Charity, sparked “great joy and hope.”
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi says plans for the trip are in the advanced stages.
The Church said the trip would highlight its “rising status and unprecedented rapport” with the communist government in recent years.
The Cuban Conference of Bishops says the Vatican’s announcement that the visit would help mark the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the image of Cuba’s patron saint, the Virgin of our Lady of Charity, sparked “great joy and hope.”
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi says plans for the trip are in the advanced stages.