Cuba begins building first church since revolution

Worshippers at Cuba’s first church

Cuba authorities have commenced building the first Catholic Church since Fidel Castro’s revolution.

The church would be located in the Bahia neighbourhood – also known as the Antonio Guiteras District – in eastern Havana.

Authorities said in Havana on Sunday that the church, to be named after John Paul II, was one of the three new churches approved recently.

John Paul II’s visit to Cuba in 1998 marked a turning point in the country’s relations with the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Cuba on September 19, before his visit to the U.S.