The Latest: Pope and patriarch sign joint declaration on religious unity

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, and Cuban President Raul Castro stood together during a meeting at Revolution Palace in Havana Feb. 12, 2016. Kirill will also meet Pope Francis for two hours during the pope’s brief stop in Havana’s Jose Marti airport en route to Mexico. (Ismael Francisco/Cubadebate via AP)

By Associated Press
February 12, 2016
HAVANA — The latest on Pope Francis’s historic meeting in Cuba with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and his subsequent trip to Mexico (all times local):

4:50 p.m.

Pope Francis and Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill have signed a joint declaration on religious unity after their historic meeting in Havana.

The declaration calls for peace in Syria, Iraq and Ukraine and urges Europe to “maintain its faithfulness to its Christian roots.”

Before flying off to begin a five-day visit to Mexico, Francis said of his meeting with Kirill that “we spoke clearly and directly. I greatly appreciate his desire for unity.”

http://www.cruxnow.com/church/2016/02/12/the-latest-patriarch-kirill-signals-support-for-castro/