Departure from Bangladesh

At 4:45pm local time (5:45am EST) today, the Holy Father arrived at the Dhaka International airport where there was an official departure ceremony marking his final moments in Bangladesh.  Upon his arrival, te Pope was welcomed by the Minister of External Affairs in the VIP lounge where they held a brief meeting.

Immediately afterwards, the Holy Father boarded a BIMAN (Bangladeshi Airlines) B777 for the return flight to Italy.  The aircraft lifted off at 5:10pm local time (6:10am EST).

The Holy Father's aircraft landed at Rome's Fumicino International airport at approximately 9:30pm local time (3:30pm EST), and the Pope arrived at Casa Santa Marta at approximately 10:15pm local time (4:15pm EST) today.

Immediately after his flight left Dhaka, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Bangladesh:

To His Excellency, Abdul Hamid
President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Dhaka

As I depart Bangladesh for my return to Rome, I offer renewed thanks to Your Excellency, the government and all the beloved people of Bangladesh for your generous welcome and for the many kindnesses shown to me during my visit.  With the assurance of my continued prayers for you, I invoke the Almighty's blessings of harmony and prosperity upon the nation.

Francis

Telegrams to Heads of State

during the flight from Dhaka to Rome

During the flight from Dhaka to Rome, while passing over India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and finally touching down in Italy, the Holy Father sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State.

While flying over India
His Excellency, Ram Nath Kovind
President of the Republic of India
New Delhi

I renew my greetings to Your Excellency and the people of India as I return to Rome following my Apostolic Visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh.  Upon all of you, I invoke the divine blessings of well-being and peace.

Francis

While flying over Pakistan
His Excellency, Mannoon Hussain
President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Islamabad

Returning to Rome following my visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, I renew my greetings to Your Excellency and the people of Pakistan, and I invoke the Almighty's blessings of harmony and strength upon the nation.

Francis

While flying over Afghanistan
His Excellency, Ashraf Ghani
President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Kabul

As I fly over Afghanistan upon returning from my visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, I renew my greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the Almighty's abundant blessings upon the nation.

Francis

While flying over Turkmenistan
His Excellency, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow
President of Turkmenistan
Ashgabat

I renew to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens the assurance of my prayers as my flight carries me over Turkmenistan on the return from my Pastoral Visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh.  Upon the nation, I invoke the divine blessings of harmony and prosperity.

Francis

While flying over Azerbaijan
His Excellency, Ilham Aliyev
President of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Baku

I extend renewed best wishes to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens as I fly over Azerbaijan on my return from Myanmar and Bangladesh.  Upon all of you I invoke the divine blessings of concord and peace.

Francis

While flying over Georgia
His Excellency, Giorgi Margvelashvili
President of Georgia
Tbilisi

I renew my best wishes to Your Excellency and the people of Georgia as I fly over your territory on my return from Myanmar and Bangladesh.  Upon the nation, I willingly invoke Almighty God's blessings of harmony and strength.

Francis

While flying over Turkey
His Excellency, Recep Tayip Erdogan
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara

As I travel through Turkish airspace on my return from Myanmar and Bangladesh, I renew my greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke the Almighty's abundant blessings upon the nation.

Francis

While flying over Bulgaria
His Excellency, Rumen Radev
President of the Republic of Bulgaria
Sofia

As my flight carries me over Bulgaria on my return from Myanmar and Bangladesh, I offer renewed best wishes to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and upon all of you I invoke the blessings of Almighty God.

Francis

While flying over Serbia
His Excellency, Aleksandar Vučić
President of the Republic of Serbia
Belgrade

As I fly over Serbia following my Apostolic Visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, I invoke abundant divine blessings upon Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I assure you of my renewed prayers for the nation.

Francis

While flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina
His Excellency, Dragan Čović
Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo

As I travel through the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I renew my prayers for Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and upon all of you I invoke the divine blessings of harmony and prosperity.

Francis

While flying over Croatia
His Excellency, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
President of the Republic of Croatia
Zagreb

I renew my best wishes to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens as I fly over Croatia on my return from Myanmar and Bangladesh, and the assurance of my prayers for the nation.

Francis

While flying over Italy
His Excellency, the Honourable Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Palazzo Quirinale

As I return from my visit in Myanmar and Bangladesh, where I have met the people who are committed to the process of building social order that is increasingly just and open to dialogue with all, I express to you, Mister President, my best wishes and greetings, while invoking the Lord's blessing upon the entire Italian nation, that she may courageously continue along the paths of solidarity and social inclusion of those who are the weakest in society.

Francis