Cuba says it doesn't know how much it will make from Pope's visit

The Cuban government has denied suggestions from foreign journalists that it is looking on the Pope's visit to the island this week as a cash bonanza.

Thousands of journalists and pilgrims have gone to Cuba for the visit, which begins on Wednesday, and they're are expected to spend millions of dollars.

But the Economy and Planning Minister, Jose Luis Rodriguez -- who was questioned on the subject at a news conference in Havana -- said that the government had not calculated how much money Cuba would make.

He said the pope's visit was not a business matter, but an honour for Cuba.

Local hotels have raised their rates for the duration of the visit, and general surge in business has been reported.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service