Pope Benedict met with Cuba's revolutionary icon, Fidel Castro on the last day of his three-day visit to strengthen the Roman Catholic Church's relationship with Cuba.
According to Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, Benedict and Castro conversed for 30 minutes in a "very cordial" atmosphere. Castro told Benedict that he is currently spending most of his time reading and reflecting on the state of the world today. He reportedly questioned Benedict about changes in Church tradition and asked the pope to send him a book to help him reflect.
The two discussed the problems of the world and mankind from a religious, cultural and scientific point of view. The Pope addressed the relationship between faith and reason and the problem of the absence of God in much of society today. Although relations with the Church have improved over the past two decades; Cuba called itself an atheist state for most of the Castro era.
Castro reportedly asked Benedict, "What does a pope do?" The pontiff spoke about his ministry, his service to the Church as well as his visits to other countries.
Castro, 85 ruled the country for 49 years before stepping down and handing the reins of power to his younger brother, President Raul Castro in 2008. Although largely retired from government, he still writes columns and meets with visiting leaders.
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