Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill Meet To Address Issue On Christian Persecutions In Syria

Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill made history when they met in Cuba last Friday. The religious leaders entered into dialogue to end the millennium-old rift between two of the biggest Christian Churches.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill met at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport where they spoke for more than two hours. The religious leaders called for the peaceful coexistence of the long-estranged churches to focus on finding a solution to the persecution of Christians at the height of the Syrian conflict.

In a joint declaration, the pontiff and Patriarch Kirill called on parties involved in the war "to demonstrate goodwill and to take part in the negotiating table."

"In many countries of the Middle East and North Africa whole families, villages and cities of our brothers and sisters in Christ are being completely exterminated," the pontiff and Patriarch Kirill said in the joint declaration.

Both religious leaders also sought to eliminate forces that do not harmonize with the churches' values such as consumerism, abortion and the collapse of the traditional family.

After the meeting, Patriarch Kirill stated that they had the discussion with full awareness of their mutual responsibility to ensure the future of Christianity and the entire human civilization.

"We are brothers," Pope Francis said as he embraced Patriarch Kirill during their meeting. He also said the meeting reflects "the will of God."

The meeting was praised by Catholics and Orthodox Christians. It is being perceived as a groundbreaking development towards strengthening both factions, which have been divided since the East-West Schism of 1054.

"We need to put aside internal disagreements at this tragic time and join efforts to save Christians in the regions where they are subject to the most atrocious persecution," senior Orthodox cleric Metropolitan Hilarion said, as quoted by CNN.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis is in to Mexico for a week-long tour to visit areas affected by poverty, violence and narcotrafficking.