Castro is coy about religion

Can follow Cuba elections Ten days before Pope John Paul is due to visit Cuba, the Cuban president, Fidel Castro, has refused to be drawn on his religious beliefs.

Answering direct questions from reporters who were watching him cast his vote, Mr Castro said that his religious beliefs were his own business.

He added that he respected both believers and non-believers.

Cuba's communist government was officially atheist for thirty years.

But over the past five years, relations with Roman Catholic and Protestant leaders have improved.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service