AFP
December 13, 2011 11:10PM
FREEING all political prisoners in Cuba before Pope Benedict XVI's visit
next year would be "a great gesture", the cardinal who heads charity
group Caritas International says.
"If the political prisoners could be released, it would be seen as a
sign of appreciation of the visit," Honduran Oscar Andres Rodriguez
Maradiaga, president of the Catholic charity network, said at a press
conference today.
"That would be a great gesture," he said.
Human rights groups estimate there are around 50 political prisoners
still languishing in Cuba's jails, despite several high-profile releases
in recent years as the country's communist regime embarks on liberal
reforms.
The Pope announced on Monday that he will travel to Cuba and Mexico just
before Easter next year, saying his visit would be part of a drive for
evangelisation and hailing Latin America as a new global player.
Benedict's predecessor John Paul II made a historic visit to Cuba in
1998 in which he was warmly welcomed by the population and the
authorities alike.
Vatican officials say the visit helped the regime open up to the outside
world.
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