Russian Orthodox Patriarch has great hope in Pope

December 20, 2013 - The head of the Russian Orthodox Church has "great expectations" from Pope Francis for a "common understanding" between his Church and the Catholic Church. Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill of Moscow expressed his opinion on Wednesday in a meeting with Cardinal Kurt Koch, the president of the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. The cardinal was on a visit to Russia from December 14, during which he held meetings not only with the local Catholic community but also with representatives of the Russian Foreign Ministry. “We pin great expectations on the election of Pope Francis because much of what the Pope formulates today and suggests for the Church and the world and society coincides with our vision", said Patriarch Kirill told Cardinal Koch in his residence at the Danilovsky monastery. According to the Orthodox primate, the current historical moment is very important for dialogue between the two sister Churches, which have common positions on many issues: peace in the Middle East, the defense of persecuted Christians, to the preservation of traditional values ​​such as that of the family and of life. "We have more and more opportunities to meet the Catholic prelates, including members of the College of Cardinals", said the Patriarch , appreciating the ability to "communicate directly". The cardinal described the current relationship between the two Churches as "wonderful." Speaking of the joint action of the Orthodox and Catholics in the protection of the concept of marriage, the cardinal noted that " the institution of the family is now in a very deep crisis " and appealed to a common struggle especially against abortion. (Source: AsiaNews)