Cuba to recognise Good Friday as public holiday

Cuba's communist government has announced that this year Good Friday will be recognised as a public holiday following an appeal from Pope Benedict.



The Pope made the request during his recent visit to the island.



Good Friday is the day Christians commemorate the death of Christ and is a central part of the Easter celebrations.



This is the first time it is being recognised as a public holiday in Cuba since the 1960s when religious holidays were abolished.



In a statement yesterday, the Cuban government said the holiday will initially be for this year only, but add that a decision will be taken later on whether it will become permanent.