The communist government makes it easier for Cubans to participate in papal visit, but the Church still suffers

Pope Benedict's Trip to Cuba: Journey to Hostile Terrain

Benedict’s pilgrimage to Cuba, which begins this afternoon, is another journey into hostile terrain. Cuba’s government has been one of the most relentlessly anti-religious in the world.

Yet the communist government is giving paid leave to state workers who want to attend papal events. And Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the archbishop of Havana, was given 30 minutes on highly controlled state TV last week to talk about the value of Pope Benedict XVI’s pilgrimage.

What’s going on? 

Pope Benedict’s three-day stay in Cuba this week must be understood in a 50-year context.

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