ROME (Sputnik) — Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill will meet next Friday at the Cuban airport in Havana. This will be the first time that church leaders meet since Christianity split into the Western and Eastern branches in the 11th century.
5 February 2016, 11:33 GMT
"This meeting is the result of joint work by both Churches. It is particularly important due to the complicated international situation," Russian Ambassador to the Holy See Alexander Avdeev told RIA Novosti.
The two leaders are expected to sign a joint declaration. Avdeev said their meeting could lead to deeper cooperation between the Christian sects on the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the spread of terrorism and poverty.
