Russian patriarch: meeting with Pope was of great historical significance

February 16, 2016

Two days after he met with Pope Francis, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow described their encounter as “an event of great significance for the history of Christendom.”

Preaching at Our Lady of Kazan Orthodox Cathedral in Havana, Patriarch Kirill said on February 14 that “I had a meeting, brotherly, open and full of love, with the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis. For all still existing theological differences between the Orthodox Christians in the East and Catholic Christians in the West, we are well aware today of our shared responsibility for what is going on with people.”

He added:

What we are responsible for is, certainly, the preservation of peace on our planet, so that people, despite their political, economic and other differences, may learn to live in peace, so that pursuing foreign policy goals may not lead to the use of force in order to gain victory. This is an ideal world, an ideal image, of course. Yet, if there is no ideal, there is no goal either. That is why, acting together, we called on the whole of Christendom and the whole world to pursue this goal. We cherish the hope that the world will hear us.

 

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Further information:

• Primate of Russian Orthodox Church Celebrates Liturgy at the Church of Kazan Icon of the Mother of God in Havana (Moscow Patriarchate)