BBC, Havana :Pope Francis has called for the Church in Cuba to have “the freedom and the means” to pursue its mission, on his first visit to the island.He also hailed improving ties between the US and Cuba as “an example of reconciliation for the whole world”.The Pope was greeted by President Raul Castro after landing in the capital, Havana.The Pope is due to celebrate Mass on Sunday in Havana’s iconic Revolution Square.He will spend four days in Cuba before flying to the US.Following his arrival on Cuba on Saturday, thousands lined the route of the Pope’s motorcade to the home of the Vatican’s ambassador to Cuba.Pope Francis – the first pontiff to hail from Latin America – is credited with helping the recent thaw in diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US.Castro has thanked the Pope for his contribution.Speaking at the airport alongside President Castro, Pope Francis urged further support for Cuba’s Catholics “so that the Church can continue to support and encourage the Cuban people in its hopes and concerns, with the freedom, the means and the space needed to bring the proclamation of the kingdom to the existential peripheries of society”.He also called on Cuba and the US to “persevere on the path” of detente.On Thursday the Vatican said it hoped the Pope’s visit would help bring an end to the 53-year-old US embargo and lead to more freedom and human rights on the island.Pensioner Diego Carrera told AP the visit was “like a breath of hope blowing over Cuba” because of the role that the Pope played in the reestablishment of relations with the US.On Friday the US announced eased restrictions on business and travel with Communist Cuba, the latest move by President Barack Obama to improve relations.Cristina Fernandez Kirchner, president of the Pope’s native Argentina, also arrived on the island on Saturday and will attend the Mass in Revolution Square.Workers have been building a huge altar and stands for the congregation and choir on the square.Streets have been newly paved in Havana, and the cathedral has been renovated.
