Pope Benedict Calls For Open Society During Cuba Visit

Pope Benedict XVI has urged Cubans to build an "open and renewed society", at the start of the first papal visit to the communist-run country in 14 years. At a Mass in front of some 200,000 people in the eastern city of Santiago, he called for a "renewed society". The Pontiff was welcomed by President Raul Castro who said the country enjoyed good relations with the Church. His visit marks the 400th anniversary of Cuba's patron saint, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre. The icon - also known as the Mambisa Virgin - was found floating in a bay in 1612 by fishermen and was revered by Cuba's independence heroes.