CUBA: HAVANA: POPE VISITS FIDEL CASTRO AT REVOLUTIONARY PALACE

(23 Jan 1998) Spanish/Nat

The Vatican said on Thursday that Pope John Paul II had won a promise from Cuban authorities to consider freeing some prisoners.

The possible concession was announced after the Pope met privately for 50 minutes in Havana with President Fidel Castro.

A spokesman said requests from Cuban prisoners to the Pope, asking him to press for an "act of clemency," were put forward by the Vatican's secretary of state in separate talks.

It was the day the Pope came calling at the Palace of the Revolution.

The Holy Father greeted by the father of the Cuban revolution, President Fidel Castro, who ordered the red carpet rolled out for the head of a church he had once persecuted.

The flag of the Vatican hung next to the Cuban ensign.

A guard of honour added to the sense of ceremony.

Castro slowed down his pace to keep up with the Pope and helped him along the corridor of the Palace, making sure his guest was all right.

UPSOUND: (Spanish)
"Does your leg hurt at all, Holy Father?"
SUPER CAPTION: Fidel Castro, Cuban President

During the day, the Pope had attacked Cuba's political and education systems at a mass in Santa Clara.

But there were no signs of repercussions from the Pope's outspoken statements when he met Castro.

The Cuban leader shook hands with the Holy Father and the two men chatted warmly before going into their private meeting.

They also allowed the gathered photographers to record the momentous occasion for posterity.

Castro at one point even joked about being the centre of attention.

UPSOUND: (Spanish)
"They're (talking about press) exploiting us, Your Holiness. We're not even being paid for this!"
SUPER CAPTION: Fidel Castro, Cuban President

With the chit-chat out of the way, it was time for some serious talking and an opportunity long-awaited by John Paul to set down his vision for his church in Cuba.

The Pope and Castro talked privately for about 50 minutes.

Afterwards, a Vatican spokesman announced the Pope had won a promise from the Cuban authorities to consider freeing some prisoners.

He did not say how many prisoners or whether they were among the nearly 500 political prisoners that Cuban dissidents say are being held in the country's prisons.

After their private audience, it was time to bring out the gifts.

Castro gave the Pope a 120-year-old biography of 19th century priest Felix Varela - considered the father of Cuban nationalism.

The book is one of only nine copies in existence.

The Pope gave Castro a brightly coloured mosaic portrait of Christ.

The two leaders then paused together at the top of broad steps outside the palace, posing again for photographers outside.

On Friday, the Pope will celebrate an outdoor Mass in the city of Camaguey, followed by masses in Santiago de Cuba on Saturday and in Havana on Sunday.

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