US cardinal visits eastern Cuba

HAVANA – The president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is in eastern Cuba to consult with local Roman Catholic priests and pay a visit to the island’s patron saint.Chicago Cardinal Francis George was travelling to Santiago, Cuba’s second-largest city, where he planned to celebrate Mass at the municipal cathedral, according to Santiago Archbishop Dionisio Garcia.George will visit the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, Garcia said by phone, and then meet with priests in the area. He has no plans to come to Havana, roughly 600 miles to the west.“It’s a short trip,” Garcia said, “a fraternal exchange between two brother churches.” (AP)