On board the papal plane following the meeting with Patriarch Kirill, Pope Francis told journalists that “it was a conversation between brothers.”

Speaking en route to Mexico the Pope said that he and the Patriarch spoke about their respective Churches, the situation in the world, wars, orthodoxy and also the next pan-orthodox Synod. He added that he really felt, “an inner joy that came from the Lord”.

The Pope reaffirmed the freedom that was felt during  the meeting which included the presence of Cardinal Kurt Koch, President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, Metropolitan Hilarion and two interpreters.

Pope Francis also said that “possible activities in common” has been talked about, adding that “unity is a walk together.”

Commenting on the joint declaration signed after the encounter, the Holy Father stressed “it was a pastoral and not a sociological declaration.” The Pope said it was “pastoral" in the sense that it was “two bishops meeting about pastoral concerns.”

(Vatican Radio)