Church Says On Track For Pope Visit To Cuba

HAVANA (AP) — A Cuban Catholic church representative says preparations for Pope Benedict XVI’s pre-Easter visit are on track.

The executive secretary of the Cuban Bishops Conference says stages for Masses the pope plans to give in the eastern city of Santiago and the capital’s iconic Revolution Plaza are under construction and will be ready nearly a week before the pope arrives.

Father Jose Felix Perez told journalists Thursday that he was not sure what message the pope will bring, but said the trip is religious in nature, not political.