visit could create a trinity of tension. first, havana, where the vatican's influence helped ease 60-plus years of cold war animosity between the u.s. and cuba. >> there's a checkered and complicated past, but that's the past. the pope is about living in the present and moving forward. >> reporter: during president raul castro's meeting at the vatican this year, the communist leader said he plans to attend every mass celebrated by francis. with castro in the pews, will the pope scorn the history of human rights violations and lack of religious freedom? pope francis told students in cuba thursday through video conference he'd like to see friendship between the u.s. and castro's communist nation, saying -- >> translator: one of the most beautiful things is social friendship. this is what i would like to achieve. social friendship. >> reporter: whatever the pope says in cuba will set the stage for a major address before a