VATICAN CITY, Nov 14 (Reuters) - Pope John Paul will say mass in central Havana in front of veteran Cuban communist leader Fidel Castro at the climax of his historic visit in January, the Vatican's television production centre said on Friday.
The 77-year-old Pope's first trip to the Caribbean island -- expected to be one of the most important of his 19-year papacy -- takes place between January 21 and 25.
A full schedule of the trip, which marks improved relations between the Roman Catholic Church and Cuba, is expected to be published next week but the Vatican Television Centre gave brief details in a statement outlining its coverage plans.
The frail Polish-born Pope will arrive in Havana's Jose Marti airport for his 81st overseas visit on January 21 at 2100 GMT. Heads of state usually greet the Pope on arrival.
The Pontiff is scheduled to celebrate mass in the provincial c Z
The Pope was due to say mass in Camaguey on January 23 and then in Santiago de Cuba on January 24. His trip will culminate with a mass in the centre of Havana with Castro in attendance on Sunday, January 25.
Cuba is the only Spanish-speaking Latin American country the ``Pilgrim Pope'' has not visited. The Pontiff, who has been suffering from a sore throat which forced him to skip a mass and an address earlier this week, has shown no signs of slowing down despite recent ill-health and advice from doctors.
Castro last month sent a message to the Pope assuring him Cuban authorities were committed to ensuring a successful visit.
Cuban-Catholic relations have been strained since Castro's 1959 revolution, shortly after which the island was declared a socialist state, some 350 Catholic schools were nationalised, more than 100 priests expelled and freedom of worship and religious instruction limited.
12:36 11-14-97