Speculation has swirled over whether the pope will meet with Cuba 's former president , Fidel Castro , and Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez , who flew into Cuba over the weekend for radiation treatment . `` In Cuba , there will not be political reform , '' says a top Cuban official . The U.S. has been trying to get the Castro government to release Alan Gross since he was arrested in Switzerland last month. Cuba 's foreign minister responded , saying his country respects all opinions . Speculation abounds over whether the pope will meet with Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez .
`` In Cuba , there will not be political reform , '' says a top Cuban official . The U.S. has been trying to get the Castro government to release Alan Gross since he was arrested in Switzerland last month. Cuba 's foreign minister responded , saying his country respects all opinions . Speculation abounds over whether the pope will meet with Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez .