Please refresh this page in your browser to reload this live event video

The Live Event you are trying to watch is either unavailable or has not started Please refresh this page in your browser to reload this live event video

The Pope has tried to halt the historic Rolling Stones gig in Cuba tonight, the Mirror can reveal.

He wanted them to avoid Good Friday but the band are still set to play the Communist state’s first open-air rock concert by a western band.

Mick Jagger declared it “a great historic moment” . And he added: “Time changes everything. We are really pleased to be here.”

RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images Fans lining up

RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images

The Vatican had asked them not to play on Good Friday, even suggesting they start at midnight to avoid the holy day.

But the rockers vowed not to let down the 500,000 fans expected at the free outdoor gig in the capital Havana.

Getty Images Keef and Ronnie arrive in Cuba

Getty Images Pope Francis waves to the faithful

A tour insider said: “The band’s team were flabbergasted when the Vatican got in touch by letter – couldn’t believe their eyes.

“Much as they didn’t want to upset the Pope, they had a contract to play and were going to honour it.

Read more: Mick Jagger takes a swipe at Donald Trump

“They have made a promise to the Cuban people and won’t let them down.”

A second source said the Stones respectfully replied to the Vatican, saying other global music events were being held on Good Friday.

RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images Fans waits prior to the Rolling Stones first-ever Cuban concert

RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images

It was all resolved before the gig at the Ciudad Deportivo, the source said.

As stars Mick Jagger, 72, Keith Richards, 72, Ronnie Wood, 68, and Charlie Watts, 74, landed in Havana on board the Stones jet, frontman Jagger declared it a “great historic moment”.

Getty Images Mick Jagger, Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood

Rolling Stones Instagram Rolling Stones Instagram

He added: “They haven’t had any big shows and it would’ve been surprising for this to happen 10 years ago. Time changes everything and we’re really pleased to be here, I’m sure it’s going to be a great show.”

Until 15 years ago Cuba’s communist government banned “subversive” Western rock and pop. But Cubans listened to it in secret, passing records from hand to hand, and the Stones got a strong following there.

Guitarist Keith Richards said: “That’s what happens when you ban things.”

Getty Images Havana ball

The Stones added the date after completing their Latin American tour last week. They will return to the UK for their Exhibitionism event from April 5 at the Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, West London.

Pope Francis hosted talks between US and Cuban officials last year, paving the way for Barack Obama this week to become the first serving US leader in 88 years to visit the Caribbean island.

REUTERS/Ueslei Marcelino We guess he's a Keith fan

RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images

The Vatican was unavailable for comment.

Additional reporting: Julia Kuttner.