Official Farewell from Peru at Lima Airport and return to Rome

At 18.30 local time yesterday, Sunday 21 January (00.30 in Rome, Monday 22 January), the Holy Father Francis arrived at Lima International Airport where the official farewell from Peru took place.

Upon arrival the Pope was greeted by the President of the Republic and his wife in the Presidential Lounge, where a brief meeting took place.

After military honours and the greeting of the respective Delegations, the Holy Father boarded a LATAM B767 to return to Italy.

The aircraft carrying the Pope to Rome after his Apostolic Trip to Chile and Peru took off at 19.10 local time yesterday, Sunday 21 January (01.10 in Rome today, Monday 22 January), and is expected to land at Rome-Ciampino Airport at 14.15 today, Monday 22 January.

Telegrams to Heads of State

During his flight from Lima to Rome, flying over Colombia, Venezuela, Portugal, Spain, France and finally arriving in Italy, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:

Overflight Colombia

HIS EXCELLENCY JUAN MANUEL SANTOS
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
BOGOTA

AS MY RETURN FLIGHT FROM CHILE AND PERU TAKES ME OVER COLOMBIA, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. RECALLING WITH PLEASURE MY RECENT VISIT TO COLOMBIA, I WILLINGLY INVOKE THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND JOY UPON THE NATION.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Overflight Venezuela

HIS EXCELLENCY NICOLÁS MADURO
PRESIDENT OF THE BOLIVARIAN REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
CARACAS

I SEND GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF VENEZUELA AS MY RETURN FLIGHT FROM CHILE AND PERU TAKES ME OVER YOUR COUNTRY. ENTRUSTING THE NATION TO THE PROVIDENCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD, I WILLINGLY INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND STRENGTH.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Overflight Portugal

HIS EXCELLENCY MARCELO REBELO DE SOUSA
PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGUESE REPUBLIC
LISBON

AS I FLY OVER PORTUGAL ON MY RETURN JOURNEY FROM CHILE AND PERU TO ROME, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. RECALLING WITH PLEASURE MY RECENT VISIT TO PORTUGAL, I WILLINGLY INVOKE THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY UPON THE NATION.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Overflight Spain

HIS MAJESTY FELIPE VI
KING OF SPAIN
MADRID

AS MY RETURN JOURNEY TO ROME TAKES ME ONCE MORE THROUGH SPANISH AIRSPACE, I CORDIALLY RENEW MY PRAYERS THAT ALL THE PEOPLE OF SPAIN MAY ENJOY THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF ALMIGHTY GOD.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Overflight France

HIS EXCELLENCY EMMANUEL MACRON
PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
PARIS

RETURNING TO ROME AT THE CONCLUSION OF MY APOSTOLIC VISIT TO CHILE AND PERU, I ONCE AGAIN EXPRESS MY CORDIAL BEST WISHES TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF FRANCE. WITH THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS, I GLADLY INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF JOY AND HARMONY.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

TO HIS EXCELLENCY
HON. SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE

AS I RETURN FROM MY APOSTOLIC TRIP TO CHILE AND PERU, WHERE I WAS ABLE TO MEET MANY FAITHFUL AND REPRESENTATIVES OF THOSE DEAR POPULATIONS, ADMIRING THEIR FAITH AND DESIRE FOR SPIRITUAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH, I EXPRESS TO YOU, MR PRESIDENT, MY CORDIAL GREETING AND I ASSURE YOU OF A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE WELLBEING, SERENITY AND PROSPERITY OF THE ENTIRE ITALIAN NATION, TO WHOM I SEND MY HEARTFELT BLESSING.

FRANCISCUS PP.

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