Pope prays for freedom, 'renewal' in Cuba
March 28, 2012
Peter Orsi and Andrea Rodriguez, AP
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....