FOR THE WEEK OF FEB. 15, 2016

The pope and the patriarch: Two Christian religions take a step to bridge nearly 1,000 years of separation

The leaders of two major religions had a historic meeting in Cuba last Friday that began as they clasped arms and kissed each other three times on the cheek. Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church then spoke through interpreters for three hours at Havana's airport, an occasion with international relations overtones. The Christian churches split in the year 1054 and their leaders hadn't met in the nearly 1,000 years since then.

"We are brothers" said the pope. "This is the will of God." He stopped in Cuba on the way to a five-day tour of Mexico. "Now things are easier," replied the Orthodox leader, who came from his church headquarters in Moscow. They signed a message of reconciliation and a declaration calling for peace in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine and urging Europe to "maintain its faithfulness to its Christian roots."

Pope Francis said: "We spoke clearly and directly. I greatly appreciate his desire for unity." Representatives of Patriarch Kirill and earlier that the landmark meeting was arranged because the Orthodox church no longer feels the Catholic church wants to expand its influence in Russia and Ukraine. Patriarch Kirill is close to Russian President Valdimir Putin. Foreign affairs specialists see the patriarch's role as a political mission to reduce Russia's isolation amid western sanctions over military moves into Ukraine and criticism of its Syria bombing campaign against rebels who oppose President Bashar al-Assad. For its part, the Vatican had hoped the meeting would improve relations with other Orthodox churches.

Joint declaration says: "As we gather at a distance from the old quarrels of the Old World, we feel very strongly the need for collaboration between Catholics and the Orthodox, who must always be ready to answer everyone who asks for a reason for hope." – Statement signed Feb. 12 in Havana.

Russian commentator says: "Russia is now being criticized by the west and the Arab world for its position on Syria, and so any societal forces that won't condemn Russia are useful to it." -- Alexei Makarkin, deputy director of the Center for Political Technology in Moscow

Pope’s next stops: After Mexico, the Catholic leader visits Brazil, Chile and Paraguay before returning to Vatican City in Italy.

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