Departure from Rome

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

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

Official Welcome at Montevideo-Carrasco “General Cesáreo L. Berisso” International Airport

Departure from Rome

This morning Pope Leo XIV began his sixth Apostolic Journey, to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru.

After leaving the San Damaso Courtyard in the Vatican, the Pope transferred by car to Leonardo da Vinci / Rome-Fiumicino International Airport, from where, at 7.05, on board an ITA Airways A300-900, he departed for Montevideo.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father landed at Montevideo-Carrasco “General Cesáreo L. Berisso” International Airport at 16.19 (20.19 in Rome).

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

As he left Italian territory, the Holy Father sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, the Honourable Sergio Mattarella:

Telegram

His Excellency
Hon. Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Quirinal Palace 00187 Rome

As I prepare to embark on my Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, I entrust the hopes for peace and brotherhood of those peoples to the intercession of the Virgin Mary and the Saints who proclaimed to them the Gospel of charity. With these wishes, it is my pleasure to extend my warmest greetings to you, Mr President, accompanied by fervent prayers for the good and prosperity of the entire Italian nation.

Leo PP. XIV

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

During the flight from Rome to Montevideo, while passing through the airspace above France, Algeria, Mauritania, Senegal and Brazil, the Holy Father Leo XIV sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:

Overflight France

His Excellency Emmanuel Macron

President of the French Republic

Paris

Recalling with gratitude my recent visit to France as I fly over French airspace on my Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I assure you of my prayers that the country may enjoy God’s blessings of peace and concord.

Leo PP. XIV

Overflight Algeria

His Excellency Abdelmadjid Tebboune

President of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria

Algiers

As I travel over Algeria on my Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, and recalling with gratitude my visit to your country earlier this year, I send greetings to Your Excellency and all the people of the nation, praying that the Most High may bestow upon all his blessings of peace and prosperity.

Leo PP. XIV

Overflight Mauritania

His Excellency Mohamed Cheikh El Ghazouani

President of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania

Nouakchott

As I fly over your country on my Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, I offer cordial greetings to Your Excellency and the people of Mauritania, and I ask the Almighty to bless the nation with his gifts of unity and concord.

Leo PP. XIV

Overflight Senegal

His Excellency Bassirou Diomaye Faye

President of the Republic of Senegal

Dakar

As I travel over Senegal on my Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, I extend warm greetings to Your Excellency and all the people of the nation, praying that the Most High may bestow upon Senegal his divine protection.

Leo PP. XIV

Overflight Brazil

His Excellency Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

President of the Federative Republic of Brazil

Brasília

As I fly through Brazilian airspace on my Apostolic Journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke upon the nation Almighty God’s gifts of unity and peace.

Leo PP. XIV

Official Welcome at Montevideo-Carrasco “General Cesáreo L. Berisso” International Airport

Upon arrival at Montevideo-Carrasco “General Cesáreo L. Berisso” International Airport, Pope Leo XIV was welcomed by the President of the Republic at the foot of the front steps of the aircraft, and by two children who presented him with flowers.

The Holy Father then passed before the Guard of Honour and travelled by car to the military air base of the Fuerza Aérea Uruguaya, where the presentation of the Uruguayan delegation.

At the end, the Pope transferred by car and Popemobile to Plaza Independencia for the welcome ceremony.