Papal visit to Cuba spurs talk of jailed U.S. contractor

Havana, Cuba (CNN) - Pope Benedict XVI traveled to Cuba this week, forging inroads with the Castro government and ultimately helping to bring about the release of a jailed American contractor. At least, that's how Judy Gross would like to see this week's papal visit play out.

"I hope it's very likely," she told CNN's Erin Burnett on Friday.

Her husband, Alan Gross, is in prison outside the Cuban capital on subversion charges. He was arrested on December 3, 2009, for distributing what officials described as sensitive communications equipment to the island's small Jewish community.

"We haven't been told anything, but we've been working with the highest authorities of the church for quite a while now and we're very hopeful that (Pope Benedict) will intervene on Alan's behalf," Judy Gross said.        Full Read