Departure from Rome

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

Departure from Rome

This morning Pope Francis began his 24th international Apostolic Trip, this time to Ireland.

The aircraft (an Alitalia A320) carrying the Holy Father departed from Rome-Fiumicino International Airport at 8.30, and is expected to land at Dublin International Airport at 10.30 local time (11.30 Rome time).

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

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

TO HIS EXCELLENCY
HON. SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE
00187 ROME

I WISH TO ADDRESS TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, A RESPECTFUL GREETING AT THE MOMENT IN WHICH I LEAVE ROME FOR IRELAND, ON THE OCCASION OF THE WORLD MEETING OF FAMILIES AND, AS I INVOKE UPON THE ITALIAN NATION ABUNDANT GIFTS OF FORESIGHT AND WISDOM TO CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE AND SAFEGUARD THE VALUE OF MARRIAGE AND OF THE FAMILY, I OFFER TO YOU AND TO YOUR COLLABORATORS MY BEST WISHES FOR A FRUITFUL COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO THE ITALIAN PEOPLE, TO WHOM I IMPART MY BLESSING.

FRANCISCUS PP.