The Pope's historic tour of Cuba

The pope will travel throughout Cuba in his five-day visit

Pope John Paul II has a packed schedule for his trip to Cuba this week - so busy, in fact, that many of his advisers fear the trip could be too much for the increasingly weary 77-year-old.

The Pope will give four outdoor masses, culminating with one in the Plaza de la Revolucion, the sacred centre of the Communist republic. He will also meet with President Fidel Castro and members of the Cuban clergy and laity.

Pope John Paul arrives on Wednesday at Jose Marti airport

The following is the Pope's planned itinerary for his historic trip. All times are Cuba local time (+ 5 hrs for GMT).

Wednesday, January 21
Arrival in Havana 16:00. Welcoming ceremony and speeches at Havana airport. City tours planned for mornings of January 22, 23 and 24.

Thursday, January 22
Santa Clara: outdoor mass at 1015. Afternoon: Havana. Meeting with Fidel Castro at the Revolution palace at 1800.

Friday, January 23
Camaguey: mid-morning mass. Afternoon: Havana. Meeting with representatives of Cuban culture in the Great Hall of the University of Havana.

Saturday, January 24
Santiago de Cuba: mass. Evening: Havana. 1900: Visit to the shrine of St Lazarus.

Sunday, January 25
Morning: talks with the Vatican's representatives in Cuba. 0930: Mass in Revolution Square. 1245: Meeting with members of the Cuban Episcopal Conference.

1700: Meeting with clergy and laity in Havana's Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and St Christopher.

1930: Leaving ceremony.