``I want to express to you my deep appreciation for the decision to give back to Christmas its holiday character for all Cubans, conforming to tradition,'' the pope said in a telegram to Castro, whom he wished a happy holiday.
The telegram was sent Dec. 23 but only disclosed by the Vatican on Monday.
In November, the Cuban government declared Christmas an official holiday, and this year allowed the local Roman Catholic Church the rare privilege of broadcasting a national greeting on state radio.
In his telegram, the pope said he was praying so that ``with the collaboration of all the citizens, this noble country, always present in my heart, can consolidate its way toward a more prosperous, just and fraternal society.''
John Paul met with Castro when he visited the island in January. During that pilgrimage, the pontiff called for an end to the U.S. economic embargo on Cuba.
The Christmas message by Cuba's top Catholic leader, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, further testified to warmer relations between Havana and the church.
Although the government declared itself atheist in 1962, Christmas remained an official holiday until 1969.
© Copyright 1998 The Associated Press