By Philip Pullella

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) – The Vatican is looking into the possibility that Pope Francis could extend his trip to Lebanon in May so that he can travel to Jerusalem in order to meet Kirill, the Russian Orthodox Patriarch. Kirill has backed Russia in its war in Ukraine. Two sources confirmed to Reuters Monday.

This would only be their second meeting. They met in Cuba in 2016 for the second time. It was their first encounter since the Great Schism in 1054 that divided Christianity into Eastern and Western parts.

Kirill (75) has given Russia his complete blessing to invade Ukraine. This has caused a split in the Orthodox Church worldwide and sparked an internal revolt that academics and theologians claim is unheard of.

According to anonymous sources, the Pope, 85, was due to visit Lebanon from June 12-13. He would then fly to Amman in Jordan the following morning.

According to sources, he will board a helicopter that takes him to Jerusalem for the Kirill meeting, then fly back to Rome.

According to two sources, one said that the trip was almost certain while another said it was possible.

Francis, who returned from his visit to Malta last Wednesday, said that he hopes to meet Kirill in the Middle East next year. However, he did not specify where.

Kirill demanded that Russians rally behind the authorities on Sunday as Moscow conducts a “specially military operation” against Ukraine.

According to the patriarch, he has already made statements supporting Moscow’s actions against Ukraine. He views this war as an obstacle to a Western culture that he regards decrepit.

Interfax quotes Kirill saying during a Moscow sermon, “Let God help us unify in this difficult time of our Fatherland,” Interfax reports.

Russia sent thousands of troops to Ukraine in February 24th, 2015 in order to weaken its neighbor’s military capability and expel those it considered dangerous nationalists.

Francis already rejected the use of that term, calling it war.

Since the start of war, Francis has not mentioned Russia in prayer, except during special events for peace, which took place on March 25, 2015. He has expressed his disapproval of Russia’s actions by using words like aggression, invasion and atrocities.

The pope called Sunday for an Easter truce to Ukraine and, in apparent reference towards Russia, asked about the merit of placing a victory banner “on a pile of rubble”.