Pope Leo XIV received a delegation of executives and staff from  ITA Airways , the Italian flag carrier, in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. ITA Airways, along with its predecessor Alitalia, has accompanied the Successors of Peter on their international travels for decades.

During the meeting, the Holy Father expressed his personal gratitude and that of the Holy See for the “precious service” provided by the company, highlighting the professionalism of its crews and the “serene and almost familial” atmosphere they create on board for the Pope, his entourage, and the journalists covering the apostolic journeys. “Meeting them gives me the opportunity to express my personal appreciation and gratitude, and that of the Holy See, for this valuable service,” stated Leo XIV.

Death should not come from the sky

However, the Pope’s speech was not limited to gratitude. Looking at the current international landscape, marked by conflicts in the Middle East involving missiles and air strikes, Leo XIV issued a strong condemnation: “Airplanes must always be bearers of peace, never of war! No one should fear that threats of death and destruction will come from the sky.”

He recalled the tragic experiences of the 20th century and lamented that, despite everything, “aerial bombing should have been banned forever. Instead, it continues, and technological development, positive in itself, is put at the service of war. This is not progress, it is regression!”

“In our current scenario,” he added, “it becomes even more important to chart paths of peace in the skies.”

Papal journeys, bridges of dialogue and fraternity

The Pope recalled that apostolic journeys are one of the most eloquent symbols of the mission of the Successors of Peter in contemporary times. This tradition began with Paul VI in 1964 with his pilgrimage to the Holy Land and has been consolidated by John Paul II (104 international journeys), Benedict XVI (24), and Francis (47 visits to 66 countries).

“Their routes are what they should always be: bridges of dialogue, of encounter, of fraternity,” stressed Leo XIV, referring both to papal flights and, more broadly, to the role that civil aviation can and should play in the world.

ITA Airways will accompany the Pope on his next major apostolic journey: on April 13, 2026, he will depart for Africa, visiting Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea. Before that, on March 28, he will make a brief stop in Monaco by helicopter.

Gratitude and hope in difficult times

The Pope concluded by expressing his confidence in the airline staff: “I thank you because, in the mission the Lord has entrusted to me, I know I can count on you.” He asked that the care and kindness they have always shown continue, especially in these challenging times.

The audience took place in a cordial atmosphere and concluded with the presentation of a gift by representatives of ITA Airways to the Holy Father.

This meeting reflects two sides of the current reality of aviation: on the one hand, aviation as an instrument of encounter and peace; on the other, the painful realization that the same technology can be diverted toward destruction. Leo XIV’s message is clear: the skies must be paths of fraternity, not of fear.

Papal flights, with their symbolic burden of hope, remain an eloquent testament that another use of the sky is possible.

Full text of the greeting:

ADDRESS OF POPE LEO XIV