This morning, on the aircraft carrying him to Uruguay, the Holy Father Leo XIV, as is customary, went to greet the media representatives accompanying him on the papal flight.

The following are the words of greeting addressed by the Pope to those present:

Words of the Holy Father

Matteo Bruni:

Good morning, Your Holiness! Welcome aboard. Joining you on this much-anticipated trip are about 80 journalists, 10 of whom are from the countries we’ll be visiting. There’s a certain enthusiasm among the journalists traveling with you as well—enthusiasm mixed with a bit of trepidation, given the intensity of the trip. Welcome aboard! Perhaps you’d like to say a few words, since we’re in such excellent company this morning….

Pope Leo XIV:Pope Leo XIV:

Buongiorno a tutti, buenos dias, good morning everyone!

First of all, I would like to welcome all of you and once again express my gratitude for your service, for the work that you do, which is so important in helping us to spread the word and especially, of course, the word which is God’s message of peace and goodwill for all people.

I am very happy to be here myself. I know some people were doubtful about this trip taking place. I confess that from the first day I had no doubt and was convinced that this trip had to go forward. And I am very happy to say “praise the Lord” and thanks to the wonderful medical assistants out here today. I think I am in fairly good shape.

So you are the witnesses of that and I am happy that you are joining us. I would also like to take the opportunity to present someone that many of you already know: the new Prefect for the Vatican Dicastery for Communication, Dr Montse Montserrat Alvarado, who has joined the Vatican team of the Holy See in taking on this challenging role as Prefect of communications, taking the role of Dr Paolo Ruffini, who has completed his term of service. And so now we have the wonderful experience, the creativity and the life and liveliness of Montse who will be accompanying us on this trip and helping the Vatican and myself in the very important dimension of communication. So, welcome Montse!

And finally, as you all know, we are headed to three countries in Latin America, each one of them with a very particular history.

There are many things in common, and many differences. And of course the longest part of the trip will be in Peru, which for myself, of course, is one of my many homes and I am very happy to be going back there, of course, and I just would like again to say that the primary reason for making this trip is to continue the mission of the Bishop of Rome, of the Pope and sharing the joy of the Gospel, of announcing the Good News and walking together with people, expressing that closeness which is so important for people, whether it be in their moments of joy or in their moments of sorrow, that they very much are looking for the message of hope in today’s world.

So, I very much hope that that will be the primary focus of this journey with the particular tone of each country, of each visit, of their people and cultures.

I am very happy to share this journey with you.  So, thank you very much.