Aboard the plane this morning, on his way to Lesvos in Greece to visit the refugees, Pope Francis, as he usually does, greeted the journalists who are accompanying him on this voyage. Having been introduced to them by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, the Pope then addressed a few words to those who were present.
Father Lombardi
Holy Father, we welcome you among us. We wish you well on this ardent journey, during which we hope to accompany you and to provide good service, so that your message, your gesture will be well understood throughout the world. We are approximately 50 in number. As usual, we represent almost all the countries, continents, languages and various kinds of media ... and we managed to assemble this group in a matter of only a few days. This means that there is always a lot of attention being paid to you and a desire to be available to you and to accompany you. If you would, please say a few words at the beginning of this voyage.
Holy Father
First of all, welcome! I wish you a good day. Thank you for your company. This trip is a bit different from the others. During Apostolic journeys, we have so much to accomplish: to see people, to speak ... and we also have the joy of encounter. This time, our voyage is marked with sadness, this is important. It is a sad journey. We are going to encounter the greatest human tragedy after the Second World War. We are going - and we will see - many people who are suffering, who don't know where to go, who have to flee. And, we are also going to a cemetery: the sea. So many people there have drowned. I say this not to sour things or to cause bitterness, but because your work too today can communicate through the media the state of mind with which I am making this journey. Thank you for your presence. Thank you.
One last thing. I want to remind you that today, Pope Benedict is celebrating his 89th birthday. Please pray for him.
Father Lombardi
Holy Father, we welcome you among us. We wish you well on this ardent journey, during which we hope to accompany you and to provide good service, so that your message, your gesture will be well understood throughout the world. We are approximately 50 in number. As usual, we represent almost all the countries, continents, languages and various kinds of media ... and we managed to assemble this group in a matter of only a few days. This means that there is always a lot of attention being paid to you and a desire to be available to you and to accompany you. If you would, please say a few words at the beginning of this voyage.
Holy Father
First of all, welcome! I wish you a good day. Thank you for your company. This trip is a bit different from the others. During Apostolic journeys, we have so much to accomplish: to see people, to speak ... and we also have the joy of encounter. This time, our voyage is marked with sadness, this is important. It is a sad journey. We are going to encounter the greatest human tragedy after the Second World War. We are going - and we will see - many people who are suffering, who don't know where to go, who have to flee. And, we are also going to a cemetery: the sea. So many people there have drowned. I say this not to sour things or to cause bitterness, but because your work too today can communicate through the media the state of mind with which I am making this journey. Thank you for your presence. Thank you.
One last thing. I want to remind you that today, Pope Benedict is celebrating his 89th birthday. Please pray for him.
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