Havana, February 6 (RHC)-- “Cuba is proud and honored to host a meeting between the top leaders of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches,” the Cuban Foreign Ministry has said in a communique. It added that the Caribbean country “will do all in its power to facilitate such a historic event.”

The foreign ministry was making reference to Friday's announcement by the Vatican that Pope Francis and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, will meet February 12th here in Havana during a brief stop-over by the Holy Father en route to an official visit to Mexico.

The pope's visit to Mexico coincides with a visit to Cuba by the head of the Russian Orthodox church. According to the Vatican, this will be the first time ever that heads of the Orthodox and Catholic churches will meet. It is considered a first step for a possible visit by Pope Francis to Russia.

Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill will reportedly hold a personal meeting at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport and later they will sign a joint statement.

Patriarch Kirill’s Latin American tour, set from February 11th through the 22nd will also include Paraguay, Chile and Brazil.