The leader of the Revolution and the then President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Army General Raúl Castro, bid farewell to the religious leader on February 14, 2016 and to whom, a few days before, he bestowed the José Martí Order, the highest decoration awarded by the Cuban State, .

Raúl Castro was the first foreign leader with whom Kirill met since he was enthroned on February 1, 2009, as a sign of the friendly ties between Cuba and the Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia.

During his stay in Havana, His Holiness Kirill paid a courtesy visit to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, held talks with Pope Francis for a few hours, and signed a joint statement, the first since the occurrence of the great schism of Christianity in 1054.

It was Kirill’s fourth visit to Cuba and his first as a Patriarch.

His agenda also included a divine liturgy at the Our Lady of Kazan Cathedral and a tribute at the monument to the Soviet Internationalist Soldier.

His Holiness Kirill also received Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel during his visits to Moscow in 2019 and 2022.

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