Pope arrives in eastern Cuba

HOLGUIN, Cuba (AP) _ Singing children and a small crowd waving Cuban and Vatican flags have greeted Pope Francis upon his arrival at the airport in the eastern Cuban city of Holguin (ohl-GEEN’).

Some cried out “Francis! Holguin is with you!” from the tarmac as the pope emerged from an Alitalia plane.

Cuban First Vice President Miguel Diaz-Canel headed the government delegation to receive the pontiff.

From the airport Francis traveled to the city’s Revolution Plaza for a morning Mass in front of thousands of people with hats and parasols shielding themselves from the sun.

A giant image of the Virgin of Charity of Cobre, Cuba’s patron, is mounted on a building in the square.

(C) WLNE-TV 2015 / AP