Pope Seeks Meeting with Russian Orthodox Leader

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE (AP) — Pope Francis says he is ready to go anywhere, anytime to meet with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church — even while acknowledging that he doubts the day will ever come that Catholic and Orthodox theologians will agree to end the 1,000-year schism.

Francis spoke to reporters Sunday en route home from Turkey, where he made a remarkable gesture of deference to the spiritual leader of the world's Orthodox Christians by bowing down to receive his blessing.

Francis also assured Turkey's Orthodox community that the Catholic Church wouldn't force the Orthodox to give up their patrimony and tradition on the path to unity.

Asked about prospects of meeting with Patriarch Kirill, head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Francis said both wanted to meet.


SOURCE: http://news.yahoo.com/pope-patriarch-seek-dialogue-peace-ukraine-121844002.html