Pope Benedict Meets President Raul Castro In Havana

Pope Benedict has met Cuban President Raul Castro on the second day of his visit to the communist-run island.

Pope Benedict stepped up his calls for change and a greater role for the Catholic Church in communist-run Cuba on Tuesday but was quickly rebuffed by a senior government official who ruled out political reforms in the one-party state.

Raul Castro has accepted the Church’s mediation on issues such as political prisoners, recognising its position as the most influential organisation outside the communist government.

The Pope’s visit is seen as an effort to further improve relations and increase the role of the church in Cuban society at a time of rapid change.