Pope Francis with meet with the Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, Kiril, in Cuba on February 12, before continuing on to Mexico for an official visit, according to an announcement from the Vatican.
This will be the first meeting between the leaders of the two churches, and could pave the way for a visit by Pope Francis to Russia.
The encounter will include a personal conversation at Havana’s José Martí International Airport, and conclude with the signing of a joint statement.
This meeting of the primates of the Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches, which has been under preparation for some time according to the Vatican, will mark an important new stage in relations between the two religions.
The Holy See and the Patriarchy of Moscow also hope that it will serve as “a sign of hope for all people of good will,” and invite all Christians to “fervently” pray for God’s blessing of the meeting.
