This morning Pope Francis began his eighteenth international apostolic trip, this time to Egypt.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father (an Alitalia A321) took off from Rome-Fiumicino International Airport at 11.07.

It is expected to land at the airport in Cairo at 16.20.

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

At the moment of leaving Italian territory, destined for Egypt, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, the Hon. Sergio Mattarella:

HIS EXCELLENCY HON. SERGIO MATTARELLA

PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC

PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE 00187 ROME

AT THE MOMENT IN WHICH I LEAVE ROME FOR EGYPT AS A PILGRIM OF PEACE, TO MEET THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY AND BELIEVERS OF DIFFERENT FAITHS, I WISH TO CONVEY TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, MY RESPECTFUL GREETING THAT I ACCOMPANY WITH SINCERE WISHES FOR THE SPIRITUAL, CIVIL AND SOCIAL WELLBEING OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE, UPON WHOM I GLADLY IMPART MY BLESSING.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Telegram to the President of Greece

During his flight from Rome to Cairo, when flying over Greece, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to President Prokopis Pavlopoulos:

HIS EXCELLENCY PROKOPIS PAVLOPOULOS

PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC

ATHENS

AS I FLY OVER GREECE ON MY WAY TO EGYPT FOR A PASTORAL VISIT, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I PRAY THAT THE ALMIGHTY MAY BLESS YOU ALL WITH PEACE AND STRENGTH, AS I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON THE NATION.

FRANCISCUS PP.