Departure from Rome
Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Rome to Maputo
Welcome Ceremony at Maputo Airport
Departure from Rome
Pope Francis’ 31st international Apostolic Trip began this morning, this time to Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius.
At 7.00, before leaving the Casa Santa Marta to travel to the airport, the Holy Father met with around twelve people hosted by the Centro Astalli and the Sant’Egidio Community, originating from Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius. The group was accompanied by the Apostolic Almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
At 7.20, after leaving the Vatican, the Pope transferred by car to Rome-Fiumicino International Airport. Shortly after 8.00 he departed for Mozambique on board an Alitalia A330.
The aircraft carrying the Holy Father landed at Maputo Airport at 18.10.
Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic
At the moment of leaving Italian territory, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Hon. Sergio Mattarella:
HIS EXCELLENCY
HON SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
PALAZZO DEL QUIRINALE
AS I PREPARE TO EMBARK ON AN APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS, MOVED BY THE KEEN DESIRE TO MEET BROTHERS IN FAITH AND THE INHABITANTS OF THOSE DEAR NATIONS, I AM PLEASED TO ADDRESS MY RESPECTFUL GREETING TO YOU, MR PRESIDENT, ACCOMPANIED BY FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE GOOD OF THE ITALIAN PEOPLE
FRANCISCUS PP.
Telegrams to Heads of State during the flight from Rome to Maputo
During the flight to Maputo, as the aircraft passed through the airspace of Greece, Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:
Overflight Greece
HIS EXCELLENCY PROKOPIS PAVLOPOULOS
PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
ATHENS
AS I FLY OVER GREECE ON MY PASTORAL VISIT TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF GREECE. INVOKING DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON THE NATION, I PRAY THAT ALMIGHTY GOD MAY GRANT YOU PEACE AND JOY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Egypt
HIS EXCELLENCY ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI
PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
CAIRO
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AS I FLY OVER EGYPT ON MY WAY TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS. INVOKING UPON YOU THE ALMIGHTY’S BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY, I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR THE NATION AND ITS PEOPLE.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Sudan
ABDEL FATTAH ABDELRAHMAN BURHAN
CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSITIONAL MILITARY COUNCIL
ACTING HEAD OF STATE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN
KHARTOUM
I OFFER BEST WISHES AND THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS AS MY JOURNEY TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS TAKES ME OVER THE REPUBLIC OF SUDAN. ENTRUSTING THE PEOPLE OF SUDAN TO THE ALMIGHTY’S PROVIDENTIAL CARE, I WILLINGLY INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU HIS BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight South Sudan
HIS EXCELLENCY SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN
JUBA
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AS I FLY OVER SOUTH SUDAN ON MY WAY TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS. I ASSURE YOU OF MY CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE AND I INVOKE UPON ALL OF YOU ALMIGHTY GOD’S BLESSINGS OF PEACE.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Uganda
HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI MUSEVENI
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
KAMPALA
AS I FLY OVER UGANDA ON MY WAY TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. IN OFFERING THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS FOR PEACE AND HARMONY IN THE NATION, I INVOKE ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON ALL OF YOU.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Tanzania
HIS EXCELLENCY JOHN MAGUFULI
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA
DODOMA
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS AS I FLY OVER TANZANIA ON MY WAY TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS FOR A PASTORAL VISIT. I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON YOUR COUNTRY, AND I PRAY THAT ALMIGHTY GOD MAY BLESS YOU ALL WITH PEACE AND WELL-BEING.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Malawi
HIS EXCELLENCY PETER MUTHARIKA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MALAWI
LILONGWE
AS MY PASTORAL VISIT TO MOZAMBIQUE, MADAGASCAR AND MAURITIUS TAKES ME OVER MALAWI, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. ASSURING YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR THE PEACE AND WELL-BEING OF THE NATION, I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON ALL OF YOU.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Overflight Zambia
HIS EXCELLENCY EDGAR LUNGU
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
LUSAKA
AS I ENTER ZAMBIAN AIRSPACE, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR THE WELL-BEING AND PEACE OF THE NATION, AND I INVOKE THE BLESSING OF ALMIGHTY GOD UPON YOU ALL.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Welcome Ceremony at Maputo Airport
Upon arrival at Maputo Airport, the Holy Father Francis was received at the foot of the front steps of the aircraft by the President of the Republic of Mozambique, Mr. Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, and his wife. Some children in traditional dress handed Pope Francis a floral tribute.
After the execution of the anthems, the military honours and the presentation of the delegations, the Holy Father greeted the bishops of Mozambique and a small group of faithful present. Then, after passing before the Guard of Honour, before leaving Maputo Airport, the Pope paused for some time to watch a display of dance, music and folk songs performed in traditional dress. Immediately afterwards the President of the Republic accompanied the Pope to the popemobile for the transfer to the apostolic nunciature of Maputo.
Upon arrival, outside the nunciature, the Holy Father Francis was welcomed by a group of young people and received, at the entrance to the residence, by the religious staff of the Pontifical Representation.
