HAVANA — Pope Francis met Friday with Patriarch Kirill in the first papal meeting with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, an historic development in the 1,000-year schism that divided Christianity.
"Finally!" Francis said as he embraced Kirill in the small, wood-paneled VIP room of Havana's airport, where the three-hour encounter was taking place. "We are brothers."
They kissed one another three times on the cheek, and Kirill told the pope through an interpreter: "Now things are easier."
Francis was having the brief talks in Cuba before heading off on a five-day visit to Mexico, where the pontiff will bring a message of solidarity with the victims of drug violence, human trafficking and discrimination to some of that country's most violent and poverty-stricken regions.
Read Saturday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.