3 SHOTS -- CROWD THROUGH STREETS, CARRYING FLAGS



2 SHOTS -- CHEERING CROWDS



3 CROWDS -- CASTRO



CHURCH DIGNITARY THROUGH CROWD



SEVERAL SHOWS -- MASS CONFESSION



CU -- BANNER



LS -- GLASS ENCASED FIGURE CARRIED THROUGH CROWD




Initials



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: IN HAVANA, DESPITE COLD AND WET WEATHER, ONE-MILLION CUBANS ATTENDED AN OUTDOOR CATHOLIC COMMUNION SERVICE THAT INCLUDED A CONDEMNATION OF COMMUNISM.

THE OPENING EVENT OF THIS CATHOLIC CONGRESS WAS A TORCH-LIGHT PARADE THROUGH THE STREETS OF DOWNTOWN HAVANA TO CIVIC SQUARE. LOCAL NEWSPAPERS CALLED IT THE GREATEST DEMONSTRATION OF FAITH IN CUBAN HISTORY.

FIDEL CASTRO WAS IN THE CROWD WHICH LISTENED TO THE BROADCAST OF A MESSAGE FROM POPE JOHN. THE CUBANS ROARED APPROVAL WHEN ONE OF THE CHURCH SPEAKERS SAID.. "WE WANT RETIREMENT OF THE WORKER, BUT NOT COMMUNISM." CASTRO WORE HIS USUAL ARMY UNIFORM BUT DID NOT CARRY HIS CUSTOMARY REVOLVER. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE REVOLUTION THAT HE WAS NOT THE CENTRE OF ATTRACTION AT A CUBAN GATHERING OF THIS MAGNITUDE.

DESPITE URGING FROM CASTRO, THE CATHOLIC CONGRESS DID NOT INCLUDE A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE REVOLUTIONARY LAWS OF THE NEW REGIME.

A STATUE OF CUBA'S PATRON SAINT, OUR LADY OF COBRE, WAS BROUGHT TO HAVANA IN ONE OF ITS RARE APPEARANCES OUTSIDE ITS USUAL SANCTUARY IN SANTIAGO, CUBA.