Farewell ceremony in Papua New Guinea at Port Moresby International Airport
Telegram to the Governor General of Papua New Guinea
Telegram to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Australia during the flight from Port Moresby to Dili
Official Welcome at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International AIrport
Farewell ceremony in Papua New Guinea at Port Moresby International Airport
At the end of the meeting with young people, after leaving Sir John Guise Stadium, the Holy Father Francis transferred by car to Port Moresby International Airport where, at 11.30 (03.30 in Rome), the farewell ceremony from Papua New Guinea took place.
Upon arrival at the airport, the Pope was welcomed by the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. James Marape, for a brief conversation.
After the greeting of the respective delegations and the local entourage, the Holy Father boarded an Air Niugini B737 and departed at 12.12 (04.12 in Rome), bound for Dili, Timor-Leste.
The aircraft carrying the Holy Father landed at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport at 14.20 (07.20 in Rome).
Telegram to the Governor General of Papua New Guinea
Immediately after his departure from Port Moresby, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Bob Dadae:
HIS EXCELLENCY BOB DADAE
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
PORT MORESBY
AS I NOW TRAVEL TO TIMOR-LESTE, I EXTEND MY DEEP GRATITUDE TO YOUR EXCELLENCY, THE AUTHORITIES AND THE PEOPLE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA FOR THE WARM RECEPTION AND HOSPITALITY PROVIDED TO ME DURING MY VISIT. I WILLINGLY RENEW THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS FOR THE NATION, AND I INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND HARMONY.
FRANCISCUS
Telegram to the Governor of the Commonwealth of Australia during the flight from Port Moresby to Dili
As the aircraft carrying the Holy Father Francis passed through Australian airspace, he sent the following telegram to the Governor General of the Commonwealth of Australia, Her Excellency Ms. Sam Mostyn:
HER EXCELLENCY SAM MOSTYN
GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA
CANBERRA
I SEND GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA AS I PASS OVER YOUR COUNTRY ON MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO TIMOR-LESTE. PLEASE BE ASSURED OF MY PRAYERS THAT ALMIGHTY GOD WILL BESTOW UPON THE NATION ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
FRANCISCUS
Official Welcome at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport
Upon arrival at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport in Dili, the Holy Father Francis was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Timor-Leste, His Excellency Mr. José Ramos-Horta, and the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Xanana Gusmão. Two children in traditional costume offered him flowers and a typical scarf, the tais.
After the Guard of Honour and the greeting of the delegations, the Pope, the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister proceeded to the VIP Lounge for a brief conversation. Fourteen people in traditional dress, representing the fourteen municipalities of the country, welcomed the Holy Father along the way to the VIP Lounge.
At the end of the conversation, Pope Francis left the airport and transferred by car to the Apostolic Nunciature of Dili, where he was received at the entrance by the staff.
