|PIC1|Catholics in Cuba hoping for greater religious freedom are holding their breath as news of Fidel Castro's retirement coincides with another long-awaited event in the life of the Church.

Castro's announcement to step down as president and commander-in-chief came barely a day ahead of an official seven-day visit to Cuba by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, which began on Wednesday.

Cardinal Bertone is marking the 10th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's landmark tour of Cuba, in which he criticised Castro's human rights record and rallied the people, calling on them to be "protagonists of their own destiny".

The cardinal's seven-day tour, which takes in the capital La Havana, and the cities of Santa Clara, Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo, is bound to rekindle the optimism of the Pope's visit, which prompted a vocations' increase and new evangelisation initiatives.

But while there have been some signs of change for the better, the years after 1998 have failed to bring about the long-awaited break-through in Church-state relations.

For the most part, the regime has refused to hand back Catholic buildings seized at the height of the early 1960s' clampdown on the Church and restrictions remain largely in place concerning state surveillance of Church activities, access to the media, which is mostly denied, and the frequent expulsion of foreign missionaries.

Now, with Castro's retirement imminent and the Pope's most senior representative due to arrive in the country this evening, Church leaders are beginning to hope that a change of government will mean greater religious freedom for the faithful.

Cuban expert Xavier Legorreta, from Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, said: "The news about Castro has totally shocked the people. The Church is watching and waiting to see what develops."

|PIC2|Mr Legorreta, ACN's Cuba projects' chief, said that after the news, he had been in close contact with a number of the island's Catholic leaders.

He added: "It is difficult to know how things will work out but which ever way you look at it people will look back on this time as a big day of change - for Cuba in general and for the Church too."

Mr Legorreta stressed the Church's growth since 1998, saying that until now Catholic leaders only received permission to repair existing Church buildings but that, during his visit, Cardinal Bertone would open the first completely new building - a bishop's house for the new Diocese of Guantanamo.

The cardinal will also bless a monument erected close to where Pope John Paul II celebrated his first Mass in Cuba in Santa Clara. ACN has given key funding to this project.

Church leaders are expecting a high turn-out at the celebrations. Mr Legorreta said: "The Bishop of Santa Clara, Mgr Arturo Gonzalez, has already told me that many people are beginning to gather for the Mass Cardinal Bertone will celebrate in the city. At this rate, it will be almost as crowded as during John Paul II's visit."

He said Church leaders want to step up evangelisation work. Although people are nominally Catholic, only three per cent are practising. Just 350 priests serve a total population of 11 million, he added.

"It is important not to pre-judge the situation," Mr Legorreta added. "This is a very poor country where for many people what they so desperately need is food and clothes.

"The people also have very grave pastoral needs and now is the time to help spread the Gospel."

Most years, ACN gives nearly £700,000 to help the Church in Cuba, concentrating on help for transport for clergy and lay people working in very poor areas, seminarians and novices, church building work and support for poor priests (Mass stipends).