Farewell Ceremony from Luxembourg at Luxembourg-Findel International Airport

Telegram to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Welcome Ceremony in Belgium at Melsbroek Air Base

Farewell Ceremony from Luxembourg at Luxembourg-Findel International Airport

At 18.15 this afternoon, at Luxembourg-Findel International Airport, the farewell ceremony concluding the visit to Luxembourg took place.

Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Luxembourg and the Prime Minister in VIP Lounge, and together they proceeded to the Salon Bourlingster for a brief discussion.

After the greetings of the respective delegations, Pope Francis boarded a Luxair B737, and at 18.38 he departed for Brussels.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father landed at Melsbroek Air Base at 19.06.

Telegram to the Grand Duke of Luxembourg

Immediately after his departure from Luxembourg-Findel International Airport, the Holy Father sent the following telegram to Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg:

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS GRAND DUKE HENRI
GRAND DUKE OF LUXEMBOURG
LUXEMBOURG

AS I DEPART FROM LUXEMBOURG AT THE CONCLUSION OF MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY, I ONCE AGAIN EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO YOUR ROYAL HIGHNESS, THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND THE ENTIRE NATION FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME AND KIND HOSPITALITY. WITH RENEWED ASSURANCES OF MY PRAYERS, I INVOKE UPON YOU ALL ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF UNITY, FRATERNITY AND PEACE.

FRANCISCUS

Welcome Ceremony in Belgium at Melsbroek Air Base

Upon arrival at Melsbroek Air Base, the Holy Father Francis, following a welcome hymn and after passing through the Guard of Honour, was welcomed by the King of the Belgians, His Majesty Philippe Leopold Lodewijk Maria and Queen Mathilde d'Udekem d'Acoz, and by two children who offered him a floral tribute.

After the performance of the hymns and the presentation of the respective Delegations, the Pope took leave of the Belgian Royalty and drove to the Apostolic Nunciature.