On 12 February 2016, history was etched in Havana as Pope Francis met with Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church—the first encounter between the leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches in nearly a millennium since the Great Schism of 1054.
This unprecedented meeting, held at José Martí International Airport, symbolised a monumental thaw in the frosty ecclesiastical relations that had endured for centuries, marked by theological disputes and geopolitical rifts.
In a gesture laden with both spiritual and diplomatic significance, the two leaders exchanged warm embraces and signed a joint declaration, addressing shared concerns such as the persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the decline of religious values in secular societies, and the pursuit of unity amidst diversity.
Their meeting was not just a reconciliation of religious hierarchies but also a testament to the enduring hope for dialogue in a fractured world.
