Cuba To Allow U.S. Ship For Pope’s Visit

Cuba’s Roman Catholic Church said Saturday the Communist government has made concessions for Pope John Paul II’s visit, promising public transportation, press coverage and permission to a ship of pilgrims from the United States to dock in Havana.

It also expressed hope the papal visit will lead to greater religious freedoms in Cuba, where atheism was state policy until 1992 and church activity remains restricted.

The government has rarely if ever given churches or other independent organizations access to the media, which is entirely state-run. The use of state transportation for an independent gathering is also highly unusual.

The agreement by the government appears to answer some of the church’s concerns about John Paul’s Jan. 21-25 visit to the Caribbean island.

But Cuba has actively sought the visit, hoping it will help undermine U.S. attempts to isolate the island. At the same time, Cuban authorities are concerned that it could foster anti-government sentiment.

“Permits will be issued for the landing in Havana of direct flights from the United States and the arrival in Havana of the cruise ship with pilgrims … will be authorized,” church spokesman Orlando Marquez said in a news release.

The government had been giving mixed signals about whether it would welcome the Norwegian Majesty cruise liner with 1,000 Catholics, many of them Cuban-Americans.

Marquez also said the government agreed to help transport worshippers to sites where the pope will say Mass, and he aid the state-run media would provide “some spaces” on the upcoming visit.