Farewell Ceremony from Belgium at Melsbroek Air Base
Telegram to the King of the Belgians
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Brussels to Rome
Farewell Ceremony from Belgium at Melsbroek Air Base
After leaving King Baudouin Stadium, the Holy Father transferred by car to Melsbroek Air Base for the farewell ceremony from Belgium.
Upon arrival, at 12.35, the Pope was received by a minister representing the government, and together they proceeded to the VIP Lounge for the signing of the Book of Honour of the military air base, and for a brief discussion.
After passing the Guard of Honour, and following greetings to the local entourage and the respective delegations, Pope Francis boarded a Brussels Airlines A321, which departed at 13.21 bound for Italy.
The aircraft carrying the Holy Father on the return flight from the Apostolic Journey in Luxembourg and Belgium landed at Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome-Fiumicino at 15.00.
Telegram to the King of the Belgians
Immediately after departure, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the King of the Belgians, His Majesty Philippe Leopold Lodewijk Maria:
HIS MAJESTY KING PHILIPPE
KING OF THE BELGIANS
BRUSSELS
RETURNING TO ROME AT THE CONCLUSION OF MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO YOUR COUNTRY, I EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE TO YOUR MAJESTY, THE MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL FAMILY, AND THE ENTIRE BELGIAN PEOPLE FOR THE NUMEROUS GESTURES OF HOSPITALITY AND FRATERNITY EXTENDED TO ME DURING THE DAYS OF MY VISIT. RENEWING THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS FOR THE WELLBEING OF THE NATION, I WILLINGLY INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU AN ABUNDANCE OF ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS.
FRANCISCUS
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Brussels to Rome
During the flight from Brussels to Rome, while passing through German and Austrian airspace and finally returning to Italy, Pope Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:
Overflight Germany
HIS EXCELLENCY FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY
BERLIN
I ONCE AGAIN SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS AS I FLY OVER GERMANY ON MY RETURN JOURNEY FROM BELGIUM TO ROME, AND I PRAY THAT THE NATION WILL BE ABUNDANTLY BLESSED WITH ALMIGHTY GOD’S GIFTS OF WELLBEING AND PEACE.
FRANCISCUS
Overflight Austria
HIS EXCELLENCY ALEXANDER VAN DER BELLEN
FEDERAL PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA
VIENNA
AS I FLY THROUGH YOUR AIRSPACE ON MY RETURN TO ROME FOLLOWING MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO BELGIUM, I WILLINGLY RENEW MY PRAYERFUL GOOD WISHES TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRIA, AND UPON YOU ALL I INVOKE ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF UNITY AND JOY.
FRANCISCUS
Arrival Italy
HIS EXCELLENCY
HON. SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
QUIRINAL PALACE 00187 ROME
AS I RETURN FROM MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY IN LUXEMBOURG AND BELGIUM, WHERE I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET PEOPLES OF ANCIENT SPIRITUAL TRADITIONS AND KEEN TO PROGRESS IN SERVING THEIR BRETHREN, OPENING UP PATHS OF HOPE, I CORDIALLY EXPRESS MY BEST WISHES FOR YOU, MR PRESIDENT, AND FOR THE BELOVED ITALIAN NATION, ASSURING YOU OF MY CONSTANT PRAYERS.
FRANCISCUS
