HAVANA, Cuba, Feb 13 (acn) The meeting in Cuba between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, leading authorities of the Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches, respectively, centered the attention of world media on Friday.
On the meeting, the first of the representatives of these religious institutions since 1054, held at the protocol hall of the capital's Jose Marti International Airport, journalists published photos, comments and "tweeted" the greeting of both primates, broadcast live on several television networks and shared on networks such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
On Twitter, the leader of the Catholic Church, on his official account Pontifex_es, published: "Today is a day of grace. This meeting with Patriarch Kirill is a gift from God. Pray for us." In addition, on the aforementioned social network, various labels like #CubaesPaz, #Kirill or #PapaFrancisco echoed this milestone of Christianity.
The Prensa Latina news agency reported that the meeting held between the two leaders, who head two churches that bring together hundreds of millions of faithful, was defined by both primates as an encounter between brothers.
According to the German news agency DPA, the two religious leaders stressed the need to unite "to end the violence and terrorism" Christians are living in Syria and Iraq, and called for an international humanitarian aid "on a large scale" for refugees fleeing from these countries to other nations.
Also, EFE reported that the Friday meeting was a small but important step that could even lead to the awaited trip of a Pope to Russia, adding that that what was observed after reading the joint declaration signed is that both religions commit themselves to defend Christians and urge the international community to redouble efforts in view of the situation in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, AFP reported that Pope Francis and Russian Patriarch Kirill championed on Friday the restoration of Christian unity -broken by an ancient schism- and the protection of all Christians persecuted in the Middle East, following an unprecedented meeting in Havana.
At the end of the meeting, which will mark an important stage for both institutions, Pope Francis continued his journey to Mexico, while Patriarch Kirill will stay in Cuba until February 14.
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