POPE FRANCIS
Pope Francis talks during a special audience to mark the 50th anniversary of Synod of Bishops in Paul VI hall at the Vatican October 17, 2015. Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church (R), walks beside Cuba's President Raul Castro after his arrival at the Jose Marti International Airport in Havana, February 11, 2016. REUTERS/Tony Gentile REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

Pope Francis will meet Patriarch Kirill of Russia in Cuba, the historic event, which will take place at Havana's international airport, is expected to take place today around 2pm to agree on a joint declaration. "To have the Roman pope, with his internationally recognized authority, not as a critic but as an ally or at least simply as a neutrally silent figure, is highly attractive to Putin and his associates," said Yury Avvakumov, assistant professor of theology at the University of Notre Dame."The Moscow Patriarchate has always been an instrument of Russian international policy. Today, the Moscow Patriarchate, with its established international ties, remains an effective transmitter worldwide of the political interests of the Russian rulers." Watch the live stream below.

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