12 February 2016: Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox patriarch meet in Cuba
After the Vatican had tried for decades to meet with Russian patriarchs despite religious and political tensions, Roman Catholic Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill have met in Cuba on the 12th of February. Their joint declaration urged the international community to contribute to civil peace, pointing towards the fact that wealthy nations cannot remain indifferent to millions of migrants and refugees knocking on their doors. The meeting can be seen as a diplomatic victory for Pope Francis’ door-opening foreign policy. Critics however have warned about the close ties between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Kremlin. Patriarch Kirill and President Putin, who are close, could use the Pope to boost their popularity in the West, coming at a time of increased tensions between the West and Russia over Syria and Ukraine.
