Pope Confirms Cuba Trip before Easter

HAVANA TIMES, Dec 13 — During a Vatican Mass in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe on Monday, Benedict XVI confirmed his visit to Cuba for next year.

The Pope explained that the journey, which will also include Mexico, will take place before Easter, which begins on April 1. Cuban Cardinal Jaime Ortega was among the Latin American bishops and cardinals present during the homily.

In 2007 the pope traveled to Brazil to preside over the Fifth Latin American Episcopal Conference, therefore this will be his second visit to Latin America, and also the second time that a pope has stepped onto Cuban soil.