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Kremlin hails Russian Patriarch-Pope meeting, their intention to continue dialogue

The Patriarch and Pontiff met in Havana airport on February 12, it was the first meeting in history heralding an important stride towards rapprochement between Catholics and Orthodox Christians

Patriarch Kirill, of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP

Patriarch Kirill, of Moscow and All Russia and Pope Francis

© L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP

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Foreign media: Pope, Russian Patriarch meet in historic encounter

MOSCOW, February 15. /TASS/. The Kremlin welcomes the meeting of Patriarch Kirill, of Moscow and All Russia, and Pope Francis and supports their intention to go ahead with the dialogue," Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.

"We unconditionally welcome such a meeting. We believe that it was an absolutely unique event from the standpoint of content, from the standpoint of symbolism and from the standpoint of unanimity regarding the intention to protect the interests of Christians the world over," Peskov told the media, when asked for a comment on the recent meeting between the heads of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Pope.

He added that precisely that position was very important in the countries where "not only the interests of Christians, but their lives need protection."

Peskov said that "it is important to note the wish of our patriarch and pontiff to continue their dialogue."

Patriarch Kirill and Pope Francis met at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana on February 12. It was the first meeting in history heralding an important stride towards rapprochement between the Catholics and the Orthodox Christians. The schism between the Latin and Greek churches occurred in 1054.

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Foreign policy Patriarch Kirill Pope Francis Religion

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