Sunday, February 3, 2019

Rome to Abu Dhabi

This morning, after having recited the Angelus, the Holy Father, Pope Francis departed and began his 27th Apostolic Voyage which will take him to the United Arab Emirates.

Before reciting the Marian prayer, at the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope met with a group of ten people from various countries throughout the Middle East: Christians and Muslims, who are being assisted by the Apostolic Almoner and the Sant'Egidio Community.

Upon his arrival at Fiumicino, the Holy Father visited a structure which the Airports of Rome are using to help homeless people.  The structure is part of the project called  Lives in transition, the human face of the airport which provides assistance for the poor who are living and working at the Fiumicino airport.  Launched in 2017, thanks to a memorandum of understanding, this project is a combined effort undertaken by the Airports of Rome, Caritas in the Diocese of Porto-Santa Rufina and the airport parish, and it allows the homeless at the airport to receive assistance.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Pope boarded an Alitalia B777 which departed from Rome's Fiumicino International Airport at 1:27pm, destined for Abu Dhabi.  The flight is scheduled to arrive at the Presidential Airpot in Abu Dhabi at 10:00pm local time (1:00pm EST).


At the moment when he left Italian airspace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Italian Republic, the Honourable Sergio Mattarella.

To His Excellency
The Honourable Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Palazzo del Quirinale 00187 Rome

At the moment wen I am leaving Rome, on my way to the United Arab Emirates as a pilgrim of peace and fraternity among the people, I am pleased to send to you, Mister President, my heartfelt greeting, which is accompanied by my fervent wishes for everything good for the beloved people of Italy, upon whom I willingly impart my Apostolic blessing.

Francis


During the flight to Abu Dhabi, while flying over Malta, Greece, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, the Holy Father sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State.

Flying over Malta
Her Excellency, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
President of Malta
Valletta

As I fly over Malta on my way to the United Arab Emirates for a pastoral visit, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens.  I pray that Almighty God may bless you all with peace and strength as I invoke divine blessings upon the nation.

Francis

Flying over Greece
His Excellency, Prokopis Pavlopoulos
President of the Hellenic Republic
Athens

I extend cordial greetings to Your Excellency and the people of Greece as I fly over your country on my way to the United Arab Emirates for a pastoral visit.  Invoking the blessing of Almighty God upon the nation, I pray that he may grant you all peace and well-being.

Francis

Flying over Egypt
His Excellency, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
President of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Cairo

I extend cordial greetings to Your Excellency and the people of Egypt as I fly over your country on my way to the United Arab Emirates for a pastoral visit.  Invoking the blessing of the Almighty upon the nation, I pray that he may grant you all peace and joy.

Francis

Flying over Saudi Arabia
His Majesty, Salman Bin Abdul Aziz-al-Saud
King of Saudi Arabia
Riyadh

I offer best wishes and the assurance of my prayers as my journey to the United Arab Emirates takes me over Saudi Arabia.  Entrusting Your Majesty and the people of Saudi Arabia to the Almighty, I willingly invoke upon you the blessings of joy and peace.

Francis

Flying over Bahrain
His Majesty, Sheikh Hamad Bin Isa al-Khalifa
King of Bahrain
Manama

I extend cordial greetings to Your Majesty and the people of Bahrain as I fly through your airspace on my way to the United Arab Emirates for a pastoral visit.  Invoking the blessing of the Almighty upon the nation, I pray that He may grant you all peace and well-being.

Francis


Official Welcome at the Presidential Airport
in Abu Dhabi

Upon his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi at 9:55pm local time (12:55pm EST) today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis was welcomed, at the entrance to the finger, by the Crown Prince, His Highness Sheik Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  A child and a young girl dressed in traditional clothing presented the Pope with a floral bouquet.  Then, the Pope and the Crown Prince examined the Guard of Honour and greeted the members of the respective delegations.  The Holy Father also greeted the Great Imam of al-Azhar, Ahmad al-Tayyib.  Together with him, His Holiness travelled to the Al Mushrif Palace.

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