The leading Roman Catholic figure in Cuba, Cardinal Jaime Ortega, has for the first time given a live address to the Cuban people on state-run television.

The broadcast comes just a week before Pope John Paul is due to make his first visit to the Communist-controlled island.

In the past, the Church has criticised the government's human-rights record.

But Cardinal Ortega was not explicitly critical of President Castro's administration, only urging people to seek the truth.

He also spoke of the Pope's condemnation of the American economic embargo against Cuba.

Speaking before the address, the head of the Cuban parliament, Ricardo Alarcon, said it was evidence that the Church and government were working hand-in-hand to make the Pope's visit a success.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service
 

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