Departure from Rome
This morning Pope Francis began his 33rd international Apostolic Journey, this time in Iraq.
As he left Casa Santa Marta, shortly before 7.00 this morning, the Holy Father paused for a few moments with around twelve people received by the Sant’Egidio Community and the Auxilium Cooperative, who have sought refuge from Iraq in recent years. The group was accompanied by the Papal Almoner, His Eminence Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. Pope Francis then transferred by car to Rome-Fiumicino, where he departed at 7.35 on board an Alitalia A330 bound for Baghdad.
The aircraft landed at Baghdad International Airport at 13.55 local time (11.55 in Rome).
Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic
At the moment of 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
PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE 00187 ROME
AS I LEAVE ROME FOR IRAQ, WHERE I GO AS A PILGRIM OF PEACE AND FRATERNITY AMONG PEOPLES, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO ADDRESS TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, MY RESPECTFUL GREETING, WHICH I ACCOMPANY WITH FERVENT PRAYERS FOR SERENITY AND PROSPERITY FOR THE DEAR ITALIAN PEOPLE.
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Rome to Baghdad
During the flight to Baghdad, in flying over Greece, Cyprus, Palestine, Israel, and finally Jordan, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:
Overflight Greece
HER EXCELLENCY KATERINA SAKELLAROPOULOU
PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
ATHENS
AS MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO IRAQ TAKES ME OVER GREEK AIRSPACE, I SEND WARM GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND PRAY THAT GOD ALMIGHTY WILL BESTOW UPON YOU AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS HIS BLESSINGS OF UNITY, PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Cyprus
HIS EXCELLENCY NICOS ANASTASIADES
PRESIDENT OF CYPRUS
NICOSIA
ENTERING CYPRIOT AIRSPACE ON MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO IRAQ, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF CYPRUS, WITH FERVENT PRAYERS THAT GOD WILL BLESS YOU ALL WITH HARMONY AND PEACE.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Palestine
HIS EXCELLENCY MAHMOUD ABBAS
PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF PALESTINE
AS I FLY OVER PALESTINIAN TERRITORY ON MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO IRAQ, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS, AND I PRAY THAT THE MOST HIGH GOD WILL BLESS ALL PALESTINIANS WITH PEACE AND WELL-BEING.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Israel
HIS EXCELLENCY REUVEN RIVLIN
PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF ISRAEL
ENTERING ISRAELI AIRSPACE ON MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO IRAQ, I SEND WARM GREETINGS TO YOU AND THE PEOPLE OF THE NATION, PRAYING THAT ALMIGHTY GOD WILL BLESS ALL WITH HIS GIFTS OF HARMONY AND PEACE.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Jordan
HIS MAJESTY ABDULLAH II
KING OF JORDAN
AMMAN
I OFFER CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR MAJESTY, THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY AND THE PEOPLE OF JORDAN AS I FLY OVER JORDANIAN AIRSPACE ON MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO IRAQ. UPON THE ENTIRE NATION, I INVOKE THE ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF THE MOST HIGH.
FRANCISCUS PP.
