A South Florida lawmaker is doing what she can to promote a meeting between Cuba's Ladies in White and Pope Benedict XVI during the Pontiff's visit to Cuba next week.
As Pope Benedict XVI prepares to go to the Communist island for three days next week, the first papal visit since Pope John Paul II traveled there 14 years ago, dissidents on the island hope he will spark important changes.
The Ladies in White, a group of wives and relatives of political prisoners, is one of the groups hoping to get a message in support of human rights to the Pope.
Speaking on the House floor Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen focused on the recent crackdowns on dissidents in Cuba, including the Ladies in White, just days before the Pope's visit.
"These ladies are advocates of freedom, and by silently marching as they do through the streets, they convey a powerful message of peace and a voice for all the oppressed," Ros-Lehtinen said. "The Ladies in White have expressed their interest in meeting with the Pope during his visit next week but have not been able to confirm that meeting."
The Ladies in White marched two days ago, leading to the arrests of 70 of their number, 18 of them women, including the group's founder, Berta Soler.
"It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that Pope Benedict will meet with these brave dissidents ... and shine a light on the struggles of the Cuban people who are living under the rule of the oppressive Castro brothers," Ros-Lehtinen said.
The Ladies in White is not the only group that has come under fire. Last thursday, 13 dissidents were holed up in a Catholic church in Havana for days in the hope of delivering a pro-democracy message to the Pope, but they were ordered removed from the church, and police escorted them out.
Other reports said Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the archbishop of Havana, asked government authorities to "invite" the occupants to leave the church. A church statement said the cardinal was assured the dissidents would be safe once they were released.
A Local 10 crew is traveling to Cuba to cover the Pope's visit. Click here for full coverage.
