POPE IN CUBA: AREA CATHOLICS SAY PAPAL VISIT OFFERS HOPE TO CUBAN BELIEVERS

Attending a Mass celebrated by the pope is a powerful and unforgettable opportunity, and area Catholics recalled their experiences with past papal visits as Cuba welcomed Pope John Paul II on Wednesday.

Sarah Strohmeyer, youth director at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, attended a World Youth Day rally with the pope in Denver in 1993.

"The first time he entered Mile High Stadium there was an energy I think was the Holy Spirit, that was tangible," she said. "You could feel the power of God in the stadium."

Celebrating a Mass with the pope is an opportunity to "experience the Catholic Church in such a big way," that it's somewhat overwhelming, Strohmeyer said. For many of the youth who attended, it will likely be the only time they see the pontiff.

"There was an excitement that I had never experienced before or since," she said.

Excitement and anticipation have filled the air in Cuba as the island's residents prepared for their first-ever papal visit.

But the visit won't only affect Cuban Catholics, it has implications for Christians all across the island.

Christianity has been forbidden for many years by Cuban president Fidel Castro. Until recently, Christmas had not even been a recognized holiday, but Castro allowed holiday celebrations recently.

Many news reports have speculated that the 77-year-old pontiff's visit will help ease trade tensions between the United States and Cuba. But U.S. officials have said the embargo policy won't change.

People, particularly politicians, have been talking about the "pulpit of the office," which gives the pope a chance to express his views and meet the leaders of the nation, said Monsignor Edward Eftink of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Jackson.

But strengthening the Cuban church is likely the most realistic goal of the visit.

Seeing the pope "makes the church real to many people," both Catholic and other denominations alike, Eftink said. "It's a good witness."

Eftink has attended several audiences with the pope in Rome and attended a conference of Catholic educators in New Orleans where the pope spoke.

But the real test of faith comes after the pope leaves the island. "It will be interesting to see what Castro allows them to do," Eftink said.

Monsignor Richard Rolwing of St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau agreed: "What might happen is anybody's guess."

"What we don't know is what might happen; what we do know is that it is a tremendous morale booster for Christians on the whole island," Rolwing said.

"We hope it means the freedom to practice their faith more openly," he said. "They have been under atheistic rule for so long, this is just a tremendous step for them."