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Pope Benedict XVI is due to arrive in Cuba for a three-day trip, the first papal visit to the island for 14 years. The Pope will visit Santiago de Cuba, near the sanctuary that houses an icon of Cuba's patron saint, the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre. He has cited the 400th anniversary of the icon's discovery as the main reason for his trip to the island. Ahead of the visit, Pope Benedict suggested Cuba's Marxist structure "no longer corresponds to reality". He called for "new models" of government to be put in place. Despite the criticism, observers say relations between Church and state have warmed in Cuba in recent years. The Pope's plane left Mexico shortly before 16:30 GMT. President Raul Castro will meet him at Santiago's airport, before holding official talks him with in Havana on Tuesday. Raul Castro has used the Church to mediate on issues such as political prisoners and economic reform, recognising its position as the most socially influential organisation outside of the government in Cuba.