Russian Orthodox Leader Meets Pope, ‘finally!’

HAVANA — With a hug and an exclamation of “Finally!” Pope Francis met Friday with Patriarch Kirill in the first ever meeting between a pontiff and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, a historic development in the 1,000-year schism that has divided Christianity. “We are brothers,” Francis said as he embraced Kirill in the small, wood-paneled VIP room of Havana’s airport, where the three-hour encounter took place. “Now things are easier,” Kirill agreed as he and the pope exchanged three kisses on the cheek.