By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
By ANDREA RODRIGUEZ
Associated Press
HAVANA — Pope Benedict XVI prayed for freedom and renewal “for the greater good of all Cubans” before the nation’s patron saint Tuesday, but the island’s communist leaders quickly rejected the Roman Catholic leader’s appeal for political change after five decades of one-party rule.
The exchange came hours ahead of a 55-minute closed-door meeting with President Raul Castro on the pontiff’s second day on the island. Brief video feeds showed Castro greeting Benedict at the Presidential Palace and then later seeing him off.
There was no visit to see Fidel Castro, though a Vatican spokesmon would not rule out the possibility of a meeting.
Days after dismissing Marxist ideology, Benedict continued to gently press themes highly sensitive to Cuban government in his prayer at the sanctuary of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre.
“I have entrusted to the Mother of God the future of your country, advancing along the ways of renewal and hope, for the greater good of all Cubans,” the pope said. “I have also prayed to the Virgin for the needs of those who suffer, of those who are deprived of freedom, those who are separated from their loved ones or who are undergoing times of difficulty.”