Delicate politics
While Cubans expect little major change from the pope’s visit, President Raul Castro will be hoping for a public indictment from Francis of the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba, still intact despite President Barack Obama’s re-establishment of diplomatic ties.
Both John Paul and Benedict repeated the Vatican’s opposition to the embargo while on Cuban soil, to the delight of their hosts. Papal aides said Francis would raise the subject during his visit to Cuba and then the United States but would not dwell on it, given the delicate and evolving state of Washington-Havana ties.
At the other end of the spectrum, dissidents opposed to the one-party state are praying for public encouragement from the pope, and help in securing the release of more than 50 jailed activists they consider political prisoners.
“You can, and we are sure it is your wish, help the Cuban government understand it must not continue beating and arbitrarily detaining, each week, dozens of peaceful women, and other rights activists, just for thinking differently,” the largest dissident group, Patriotic Union of Cuba, said in a letter to the pontiff.
On the streets, however, where locals were avidly discussing all aspects of the pope’s visit, few expected the pontiff to wade far into Cuban politics.
Rather, some hoped for simpler tangible impact, like when Christmas was reinstated as a national holiday after John Paul’s visit, and Easter after Benedict.
“It’s going to be a lovely visit for Cuba, especially for religious folk — but it won’t go any further than that,” said Gremy Fernandez, 35, who trained as a doctor but is working as a builder because it pays better. “There won’t be any real changes.”
Behind him, as Fernandez and a friend walked home through a drizzly Revolution Square in Havana, a vast temporary picture of Jesus Christ vied for attention with permanent images of revolutionary heroes Ernesto “Che” Guevara and Camilo Cienfuegos.
Article Appeared @http://www.voanews.com/content/cubans-welcome-pope/2970284.html