Farewell Ceremony from Equatorial Guinea and Departure from Malabo

After presiding over Holy Mass, Pope Leo XIV left Malabo Stadium at 12.00 local time, and transferred to Malabo International Airport for the farewell ceremony from Equatorial Guinea.

The Pontiff was welcomed by the President of Equatorial Guinea, His Excellency Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, and his wife, Constancia Mangue de Obiang.

After the national anthems, Honour to the Flags, the passage of the Guard of Honour and the greeting of the respective delegations, Pope Leo XIV boarded an ITA A330-900neo and departed at 12.54 local time bound for Rome.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father is landed at Fiumicino International Airport at approximately 19.18.

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

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

Telegram of the Holy Father

His Excellency Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo

President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Ciudad de la Paz

As I leave Equatorial Guinea following my Apostolic Journey, please know that I am deeply grateful to Your Excellency, the local authorities and your fellow citizens for the generous welcome and warmth extended throughout my visit. I pray that Almighty God will bestow upon the country the blessings of unity and prosperity.

Leo PP. XIV

Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Malabo to Rome

During the flight to Rome, as the aircraft passed above Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia and Italy, the Holy Father sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of StateL:

Overflight Cameroon

His Excellency Paul Biya

President of the Republic of Cameroon

Yaoundé

As I fly back to Rome, I once again send my prayerful good wishes to Your Excellency and the people of Cameroon, and I invoke upon you all the divine gifts of solidarity and joy.

Leo PP. XIV

Sorvolo Nigeria

His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

Abuja

Flying once again through Nigerian airspace as I return to Rome after my Apostolic Journey to Africa, I send good wishes to Your Excellency and to all Nigerians, and I willingly invoke upon the Nation the Almighty’s blessings of harmony and joy.

Leo PP. XIV

Sorvolo Niger

His Excellency Abdourahamane Tchiani

President of the Republic of Niger

Niamey

As I return to Rome after my Apostolic Journey to your beloved continent, I extend good wishes to Your Excellency and the Nigerien people. Praying that the country will be granted the gifts of peace and wellbeing, I invoke upon all of you abundant divine blessings.

Leo PP. XIV

Overflight Algeria

His Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune

President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Algiers

As I fly over Algeria on my way back to Rome, I renew my greetings of good wishes to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens. In praying that the Nation will be generously blessed, I once again invoke abundant divine gifts upon all Algerians.

Leo PP. XIV

Overflight Tunisia

His Excellency Kais Saied

President of the Republic of Tunisia

Tunis

Following my Apostolic Journey to Africa, I willingly send cordial good wishes to you and your fellow citizens as I fly over Tunisia, together with the assurance of my prayers for the unity and concord of the Nation.

Leo PP. XIV

Italy

His Excellency

Honourable Sergio Mattarella

President of the Italian Republic

Quirinal Palace 00187 Rome

As I return from my first Apostolic Journey in the African continent, where I have had the joy of meeting peoples rooted in strong spiritual traditions and eager to progress towards a just standard of living, I extend my heartfelt wishes for peace and serenity to you, Mr. President, and to the beloved Italian nation, assuring you of my constant prayers.

Leo PP. XIV