Also present for the welcome were Esteban Lazo Hernández, president of the National Assembly of People’s Power; Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; both members of the Party Political Bureau; Marta Hernández, president of the Provincial Assembly of People’s Power in Havana; Caridad Diego, head of the Office of Religious Affairs of the Party Central Committee, Russian Ambassador to Cuba Mijaíl Kaminin; and other Orthodox Church authorities.

Speaking on arrival, Patriarch Kirill expressed his joy to be making his fourth visit to the island, invited by Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, while noting that “the people of Cuba and Russia are united by longstanding ties, collaboration and friendship.”

“Here, I will have the opportunity to speak with the people, to convey to them the good wishes of the Russian people,” he stated.

“I am not only Patriarch of Moscow, but of all Russia, of ancient and illustrious Russia, thus I convey to you the greetings of all the people of illustrious Russia. I wish wellbeing and joy to each and every Cuban. May merciful and loving God be with you all,” he stated.

After the welcoming ceremony, His Holiness Kirill and Cuban President Raúl Castro held a meeting in one of the airport’s function rooms.
As part of his scheduled activities, the Russian Patriarch will meet with Pope Francis at the José Martí International Airport today, Friday 12, who is making a stop in Cuba en route to Mexico.

According to a joint statement issued by the Vatican and Moscow Patriarchate, the two leaders will hold talks in Havana and sign a joint declaration.

Today, His Holiness Kirill will pay tribute to Cuba’s national hero José Martí and pay a courtesy call to President Raúl Castro Ruz. On Saturday, February 13, the Patriarch is scheduled to visit the Mausoleum of theSovietInternationalist Soldier, the Solidaridad con Panamá School for children with special needs, and attend a show at the capital’s Martí Theater. Rounding off the day, he will be presented with the José Martí Order and offer a Divine Liturgy before he departs on Sunday, February 14.

(Granma)

Sources from the Civil Defense informed that the dead are a lady of 81 years, who died by drowning due to a flood, and a young man of 24 years, died electrocuted because of falling power lines.

Specialists Forecast Center of the Institute of Meteorology reported that a line of severe thunderstorms formed quickly in the Straits of Florida ahead of a cold front, advanced on the capital from the early hours of Wednesday afternoon.

This atmospheric phenomenon continued, caused locally heavy rains, hailstorms and strong winds in the capital Casablanca station reached speeds of up to 98 kilometers per hour.

Besides the two deaths, 24 partial constructions collapsed and three total breakdowns were reported, while the municipalities of Centro Habana, Cerro Old Havana and were the hardest hit by the flooding, which also caused damages in transit and electricity in 39 circuits the Cuban capital.

Granma highlights the rapid response of local authorities, political, fire departments, the National Revolutionary Police and the Integrated Emergency Medical System.

Moreover, the Institute of Meteorology warning today that the planned arrival of the cold front will keep the showers and rain over the western region, which should begin to decline after midday.

(Prensa Latina)