Havana archbishop upset over limited media access

``I consider there has been a deficit in that regard,'' said Cardinal Jaime Ortega, the archbishop of Havana.

``We would have liked more access [to official media], more time to announce the trip,'' Ortega said at a news conference in advance of the pope's four-day visit that starts Wednesday.

The charges come as other critics complain that Cuba is cashing in on the papal visit, raising prices for everything from hotel rooms to restaurants to car rentals. Observers say the papal visit, expected to draw about 14,000 visitors to Cuba, could generate as much as $20 million in badly needed currency for the impoverished island.

Cuban officials have rejected criticisms of price-gouging.

Ortega said that in recent months, he had witnessed ``a real rebirth, a real return to the roots and tradition of faith.''

``We have seen a religious awakening of the people,'' he said.

The Vatican estimates there are about four million Roman Catholics in Cuba, out of a population of 11 million, though only roughly 500,000 practice their faith openly.

A good number mix Roman Catholicism with Yoruba beliefs brought here by African slaves. Evangelical Protestantism, originally from the United States, has become increasingly important.

In smaller measure, Jewish, Buddhist and voodoo believers also make their presence felt.

Ortega expressed confidence that John Paul II's pilgrimage would have a deep spiritual impact on Cuba and that ``all of us will be a little better people after the visit.''

The long-awaited trip, the first by a pope to this Caribbean island, represents a major challenge both for Cuba's communist leadership and the Catholic hierarchy, but in the end, ``the winner will be the Cuban people,'' Ortega said.

Ortega said he also hopes the church will be given ``open spaces'' not only for religious ceremonies, but to carry out social and humanitarian work as well.

Asked whether he was concerned about the health of the 77-year-old pontiff, Ortega predicted John Paul II will arrive here ``in good shape.''