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Paraguay president: World hopes for restored Christian unity between two churches

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia is visiting Paraguay

The heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches EPA/Alejandro Ernesto / POOL

The heads of the Roman Catholic and the Russian Orthodox churches

© EPA/Alejandro Ernesto / POOL

ASUNCION, February 17. /TASS/. The world hopes relations between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches will improve after Pope Francis and Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill met for historic talks in Cuba, President of Paraguay Horacio Manuel Cartes Jara said at a meeting with the Russian patriarch in the capital of Paraguay.

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"Latin America received the privilege to host this unprecedented meeting, that without any doubt will launch a new stage in relations between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church. The world is looking forward to it," the president said.

He said the people of Paraguay hoped "this wonderful bridge that is being built - the bridge of a dialogue, solidarity and joint activity - will in the long run lead to the unity of the whole Cristian world".

The first meeting between a Pope and a Russian Church head since the Western and Eastern branches of Christianity split in the 11th century was held on February 12 at the airport of Havana. Then the patriarch continued his Latin American trip that also includes Paraguay and Brazil. The trip that he called "long and difficult" started on February 11 and will continue until February 22.

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