教皇本笃十六世出访古巴

Pope Benedict XVI has begun a three-day visit to Cuba - the first papal visit to the communist-run island for 14 years.

教皇本笃十六世开始对古巴进行为期三天的访问，这是14年来教皇对这个共产主义岛屿的首次访问。

The Pope, who flew in from Mexico, was welcomed to the eastern city of Santiago by President Raul Castro.

The Pontiff said he had come as a pilgrim of charity, and would pray for peace, liberty and reconciliation（和解，调和） .

He also expressed sympathy for the "just aspirations" of all Cuban people, wherever they were.

Pope Benedict then celebrated Mass before an estimated crowd of some 200,000 in Santiago's Revolution Square.

He appealed to the audience to reinvigorate（使复兴） their faith "that you may strive to build a renewed and open society, a better society, one more worthy of humanity".

Before the mass, one man was arrested after shouting: "Down with communism". Others in the audience booed him for spoiling the atmosphere and shouted "Cuba, Cuba, Cuba".

President Castro was among those attending the service.

In his speech at the airport, President Castro said socialist Cuba allowed full freedom of religion and enjoyed good relations with the Catholic Church.

He said Cuba shared the Pope's concerns over global poverty, inequality and environmental destruction.

And he stressed that Cuba was determined to defend its independence in the face of the US embargo.