Even the Pope called for an end to  the blockade ! (not Ratzinger - the previous one)
"The Holy See wishes ardently that the obstacles that currently impede free communication and exchange between Cuba and the international
community may be overcome as soon as possible, thus consolidating, by means of a respectful and open dialogue among all, the conditions
necessary for genuine development," the Pope said during a Dec. 8 meeting with Cuba's new ambassador to the Vatican, Raúl Roa Kouri.

The Pope also praised Cuba's health and educational systems, while calling for a greater dialogue on the island between the Church and the
government.

It is not the first time the pontiff has condemned the blockade. In 1998 during his historic visit to Cuba he called on the US to lift the
blockade.
On Jan. 25, the day before the end of his visit, John Paul harshly condemned U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba, calling them "oppressive,
unjust and ethically unacceptable."
from the New York Daily News  Sunday 16 Jan 2005

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