Raul Arrives in Rome

HAVANA, Cuba, May 9 (acn) The President of the councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raul Castro, arrived on Saturday in Rome in a refueling stop of his return journey to Cuba.
Raul arrived in Italy after participating in celebrations in Russia for the 79th anniversary of the victory over fascism, informed special correspondent Barbara Betancourt.
During his short visit, the Cuban head of state will be received on Sunday by Pope Francis at the Holy See and later by Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.
While announcing on December 17 the beginning of talks for the reestablishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, the Cuban President thanked the Vatican and acknowledged its support, particularly that of Pope Francis, in negotiations.
The Supreme Pontiff will travel to Cuba in September, prior to the tour he will make of various U.S. cities: Washington, New York and Philadelphia.
In this way, Francis will become the third Pope to visit Cuba, preceded by John Paul II, en 1998, and Benedict XVI, in 2012.