CATHOLIC CHURCH AND THE POWER OF STATE IN CUBA (TO THE FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY OF POPE JOHN PAUL II’S VISIT)

Abstract

In January, 2013 it has been fifteen years since the visit of Pope John Paul II to Cuba. The importance of this visit becomes obvious today when Cuba begins its democratic transformations, a groundwork for which was laid by the apostolic activity of the Pope. The article reveals the political essence of the pontiff’s visit and looks at its religious component. It The article discovers methods of influence of Catholic hierarchy on the congregation, mechanisms of participation of Catholic church in political life of Latin America.