Havana, September 18 (RHC)-- Argentinean President Cristina Fernandez will pay an official visit to Cuba over the weekend at the invitation of the Cuban government.

President Fernandez is expected to arrive Saturday afternoon at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport, shortly after the Pope arrives in the Cuban capital.

Cristina Fernandez will attend Mass by Pope Francis on Sunday, September 20th, at Havana's Plaza de la Revolución.

According to Argentinian media, Monsignor Guillermo Karcher, who is in charge of Vatican ceremonies, confirmed the trip of the Argentinean president to Cuba and her attendance of the mass. Monsignor Karcher said that "they (President Cristina Fernandez and Pope Francis) are two heads of state and they have a great deal of respect for each other."

Media reports say that that the Argentinean leader will return home to Buenos Aires on Sunday. Cristina Fernandez has met with the Pope on six previous occasions.

Referring to a possible visit by the Pope to Argentina, Monsignor Karcher put the possibilities for 2017, because 2016 will mark Mercy Year and it will be unlikely that the Pope leaves Rome.