# Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill (2016)

URL: https://christianity-history.com/timeline/2016-pope-francis-meets-patriarch-kirill
Location: Havana, Cuba
Themes: Council

The first meeting of a pope and a Russian patriarch. At this point in the timeline (12 February 2016), the Bishop of Rome was Pope Francis (13 March 2013 – 21 April 2025).

## Why it matters
Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill mattered because it shaped how Christians understand God, Christ, salvation and the church.

Pope at the time: [Pope Francis](https://christianity-history.com/popes/pope-francis)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Havana Declaration](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Havana_Declaration)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Pope+Francis+meets+Patriarch+Kirill)
- [Wikipedia — Modern Era (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_the_20th_century)