The Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church, Benedict XVI, presented the Golden Rose to La Virgen de la Caridad del Cobre, Our Lady of Charity, in the mass celebrated on Monday at the Antonio Maceo Plaza of the Revolution, in this eastern city, in the presence of Cuban President Raul Castro.

The Golden Rose is an award conferred by the Pope to prominent Catholic personalities, and was created by Leo IX in 1049.

During the mass, His Holiness referred to the joy of being in Cuba in the context of the Marian Jubilee Year, declared by the Catholic Church for the 400th Anniversary of the discovery of the Our Lady of Charity. He declared, "I thank God for allowing me to come to you and make this much desired trip."

The religious tribute, attended by more than 200,000 people, was also marked by the interpretation of Christian songs composed by Cuban authors, in whose melodies rang the sense of identity of those who live on the Island

As a culmination, a tropical rainstorm also appeared to make known the event that the Pope and the people were involved in, on that memorable day in March. His Holiness Benedict XVI said, "This is Santiago de Cuba, we are not surprised by anything here."

Translated by: Daysi Olano