Vatican City, Feb 19, 2008 / 20:07 pm
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has suggested that Pope Benedict XVI could visit Cuba in the future, the International Herald Tribune reports.
Cardinal Bertone will leave for Havana on Wednesday for a weeklong visit commemorating the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s historic pilgrimage to the communist country.
Speaking in an interview with the Italian Catholic newspaper Avvenire, the cardinal spoke of a possible visit to Cuba by Pope Benedict. "Up until now it hasn't been possible," he said. "In the future we will see."
The cardinal also spoke to reporters on Tuesday, saying he would bring the Pope’s blessing to all Cubans. He described Vatican-Cuba relations as “relatively good,” saying the Church in Cuba enjoyed “great vitality” despite the “known difficulties.”