Departure from Rome
Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Rome to Rabat
Departure from Rome
This morning Pope Francis departed for Morocco, to commence his 28th international apostolic trip.
Before leaving the Domus Sanctae Marthae, Pope Francis met with a group of Moroccan migrants hosted in Italy by the Sant’Egidio Community. They are two families, each one with two children; two young women; and a boy. The group was accompanied by the Apostolic Almoner, His Eminence Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. Then, after leaving the Vatican, he transferred by car to Rome-Fiumicino International Airport, where at 10.57 he departed on board an Alitalia A320 bound for Rabat.
The aircraft carrying the Holy Father landed at Rabat-Salé International Airport at 13.52.
Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic
Upon leaving Italian territory, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Hon. Sergio Mattarella:
HIS EXCELLENCY
HON. SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
QUIRINAL PALACE 00187 ROME
AS I DEPART FOR MY APOSTOLIC TRIP TO MOROCCO, TO MEET THAT NOBLE POPULATION, SHARING MOMENTS OF PRAYER AND COMMUNION WITH THE CATHOLIC COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGING INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE, I WISH TO ADDRESS TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AND TO THE DEAR ITALIAN NATION, MY CORDIAL GREETING, WHICH I ACCOMPANY WITH SINCERE WISHES THAT ITALY MAY MAINTAIN AT A HIGH LEVEL THE ETHICAL AND SPIRITUAL VALUES OF THE PERSON AND OF SOCIAL CO-EXISTENCE, SEEKING WITH CONCERTED EFFORT SOLUTIONS INSPIRED BY SOLIDARITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Rome to Rabat
During the flight to Rabat, while flying through French and Spanish airspace, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:
Overflight France
HIS EXCELLENCY EMANUEL MACRON
PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC
PARIS
AS I FLY OVER FRANCE ON MY WAY TO MOROCCO FOR AN APOSTOLIC VISIT, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I PRAY FOR THE GIFTS OF PEACE AND HARMONY IN THE NATION AND I GLADLY INVOKE GOD’S BLESSINGS UPON YOU ALL.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Spain
HIS MAJESTY FELIPE VI
KNIG OF SPAIN
MADRID
AS I ENTER SPANISH AIRSPACE ON MY JOURNEY TO MOROCCO, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR MAJESTY, THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, AND THE PEOPLE OF SPAIN. I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON YOU ALL, ASKING ALMIGHTY GOD TO GRANT THE NATION THE GIFT OF WELL-BEING AND PEACE.
FRANCISCUS PP.
