Departure from Rome

The 41st International Apostolic Journey of Pope Francis to Hungary began this morning.

Before leaving Casa Santa Marta the Holy Father received the greeting of fifteen homeless people living near St Peter’s accompanied by the Prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, His Eminence Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.

He then transferred by car to Rome-Fiumicino International Airport from where, at 8.21am – on board a neo/ITA Airways A320 – he left for Budapest.

The plane landed at Budapest’s Ferenc Liszt International Airport at 9.53 a.m.

Telegram to the President of the Italian Republic

On leaving Italian territory, the Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, Hon. Sergio Mattarella

TO HIS EXCELLENCY
ON. SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENT OF THE ITALIAN REPUBLIC
QUIRINAL PALACE 00187 ROME

AT THE MOMENT WHEN I AM ABOUT TO LEAVE THE SOIL OF ITALY TO MAKE AN APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO HUNGARY, MOVED BY THE DESIRE TO MEET BROTHERS IN THE FAITH AND BEAR WITNESS TO THE IMPORTANCE OF BUILDING BRIDGES BETWEEN PEOPLES, I ADDRESS TO YOU, MR PRESIDENT, AND TO ALL ITALIANS MY CORDIAL GREETINGS, WHICH I ACCOMPANY BY FERVENT PRAYERS FOR THE GOOD OF THE NATION.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Telegram to the President of the Republic of Croatia

During the flight to Budapest, while flying over Croatia, Holy Father Francis sent the following telegram to the President, H.E. Mr Zoran Milanović:

HIS EXCELLENCY ZORAN MILANOVIĆ
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA
ZAGREB

AS I TRAVEL THROUGH CROATIAN AIRSPACE EN ROUTE TO HUNGARY, I SEND GREETINGS OF GOOD WISHES TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS, TOGETHER WITH THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS THAT ALMIGHTY GOD WILL BESTOW UPON THE NATION HIS GIFTS OF FRATERNITY, JOY AND PEACE.

FRANCISCUS PP.