Trade embargo possible hot topic

 During his visit to Cuba this week, Pope Benedict XVI will be watched closely for the degree to which he does or does not take the United States to task for the trade embargo against Cuba, now 50 years old and counting. The church has long opposed it on grounds that it most hurts the poor and voiceless.

 A senior Obama administration official active in Cuba policy expressed hope that there’s little discussion of the U.S. embargo. The expectation is that Benedict will follow the example of Pope John Paul II during his visit 14 years ago and …

 During his visit to Cuba this week, Pope Benedict XVI will be watched closely for the degree to which he does or does not take the United States to task for the trade embargo against Cuba, now 50 years old and counting. The church has long opposed it on grounds that it most hurts the poor and voiceless.

 A senior Obama administration official active in Cuba policy expressed hope that there’s little discussion of the U.S. embargo. The expectation is that Benedict will follow the example of Pope John Paul II during his visit 14 years ago and stick to generic language that called for Cuba to open to the world and the world to open to Cuba.