Departure from Luanda and Farewell Ceremony from Angola

After celebrating Holy Mass in private, and taking leave of the Apostolic Nunciature, at 8.35 (local time) Pope Leo XIV transferred by car to Luanda International Airport for the farewell ceremony from Angola.

Upon arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Angola, His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço. After the national anthems, the passage of the Guard of Honour, and the greeting of the respective delegations, the Pope boarded an ITA A330-900neo and departed at 9.19 (local time), bound for Equatorial Guinea.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father is expected to land at Malabo International Airport at 11.45 local time.

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Angola

Immediately after departure, Pope Leo XIV sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Angola:

Telegram

His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço
President of the Republic of Angola
Luanda

As I now travel to Equatorial Guinea, I express my deep gratitude to Your Excellency, the authorities and the people of Angola 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 Angolans Almighty God’s blessings of joy and harmony.

Leo PP. XIV