Pope Francis holds talks with Russian Orthodox Patriarch

As BBC reports the first meeting between a Pope and a Russian Church head was held since the Western and Eastern branches of Christianity split in the 11th Century.

Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill have called for restored Christian unity between the two churches at historic talks in Cuba.

In a joint declaration they also urged the world to protect Christians from persecution in the Middle East.

The two-hour talks on Friday between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill were held at Havana airport.

The pair embraced and kissed each other at the start of their talks.

“I’m happy to greet you, dear brother,” the Russian Church leader said.
“Finally,” the pontiff said.

At a news conference after the meeting, Kirill said the discussions were “open” and “brotherly”, while Francis described them as “very sincere”.

“We hope our meeting contributes to the re-establishment of this unity wished for by God,” their joint declaration said.

The document called on the world community to defend Christians, saying that “in many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated.”

The Pope has now arrived in Mexico for a five-day visit.

A crowd of 300,000 braved the cold in Mexico City to welcome him to the country which has the world’s second largest Catholic population.

The President Enrique Pena Nieto greeted The Pope at the airport.