Historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill
Havana is once again the scene of dialogue and understanding. Yesterday afternoon, February 12, the leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches held a private meeting and issued a joint statement
Author: Lissy Rodríguez Guerrero | informacion@granma.cu
february 13, 2016 10:02:13

Havana is once again the scene of dialogue and understanding. Yesterday afternoon, February 12, the leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches, Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, held a historic meeting, the first since the 1054 rupture within Christianity.
President Raúl Castro Ruz received Pope Francis around 2:00pm at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, accompanied by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, and Archbishop of Havana, Cardinal Jaime Ortega.
After an affectionate greeting the two religious leaders held a private meeting and issued a joint statement including plans for joint work.
After the historic encounter, Raúl commented, “Cuba will continue to support peace. Now comes Colombia.”
Pope Francis departed shortly thereafter, en route to Mexico for a pastoral visit, while Patriarch Kirill will continue his activities in Havana through Sunday.