Farewell Ceremony from Greece at Athens International Airport

After the meeting with young people at the Saint Dionysius School of the Ursuline Sisters in Maroussi, the Holy Father Francis transferred by car to Athens International Airport for the farewell ceremony.

Upon arrival, the Holy Father was received by the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the entrance to the VIP lounge, where a brief private meeting took place.

After the Guard of Honour and the greeting of the respective delegations, the Pope boarded an Aegean A320neo to return to Italy.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father on his return trip from his apostolic journey to Cyprus and Greece took off from Athens International Airport at 11.55 (10.55 in Rome), and landed at Rome-Ciampino airport at 12.54.

Telegram to the President of the Hellenic Republic

Immediately after departure by air from Athens, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Hellenic Republic, Her Excellency Ms. Katerina Sakellaropoulou:

HER EXCELLENCY KATERINA SAKELLAROPOULOU
PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
ATHENS

AS I DEPART FROM GREECE, I EXPRESS MY PROFOUND GRATITUDE TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC FOR YOUR GRACIOUS HOSPITALITY DURING MY APOSTOLIC VISIT. IN ASSURING YOU OF MY PRAYERS, I INVOKE GOD’S BLESSINGS UPON THE NATION.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

As he returned to Italy following his apostolic journey in Cyprus and Greece, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, the Hon. Sergio Mattarella:

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

AS I RETURN TO ITALY AT THE END OF MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY IN CYPRUS AND GREECE, DURING WHICH I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENCOURAGE THE PROMOTION OF DIALOGUE, THE CONSOLIDATION OF DEMOCRACY AND INTEGRATION AMONG PEOPLES, IT IS MY PLEASURE TO EXTEND MY RESPECTFUL GREETING TO YOU, MR. PRESIDENT, AND TO THE ITALIAN PEOPLE, ACCOMPANIED BY WARM WISHES FOR PEACE AND GOODWILL TO THE ENTIRE NATION.

FRANCISCUS PP.