Sunday, May 5, 2019

Bulgaria and North Macedonia: Rome to Sofia

Pope Francis' 29th International voyage, which takes him to Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia, began this morning.

At 6:20am local time (12:20am EDT), the Holy Father left the Vatican and travelled by car to Rome's Fiumicino International Airport where, at 7:10am local time, he boarded an Alitalia A321 and departed for Sofia.

The aircraft landed at the International Airport in Sofia at 9:50am local time (2:50am EDT).


Telegrams during the flight

At the moment when he left Italian airspace, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegraphic message 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 when I am beginning my pastoral visit to Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia, motivated by a sincere desire to meet the brothers in faith and the inhabitants of those nations, I wish to address to you, Mister President, and to the entire Italian people, the expression of my good wishes and greetings which are accompanied with cordial greetings for serenity and concord.

Francis

During the flight to Sofia, while flying over Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegrams to the respective Heads of State:

While flying over Croatia

Her Excellency, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović
President of the Republic of Croatia
Zagreb

As I enter Croatian airspace on my way to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens. Praying that Almighty God may bless you all with peace and strength, I invoke divine blessings upon the nation.

Francis

While flying over Bosnia and Herzegovina

His Excellency, Milorad Dodik
Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo

As I fly over Bosnia and Herzegovina on my Apostolic journey to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, I offer Your Excellency and your fellow citizens my best wishes.  I assure you of my prayers and invoke upon all of you abundant divine blessings.

Francis

While flying over Montenegro

His Excellency, Milo Dukanović
President of Montenegro
Podgorica

As I fly over Montenegro on my way to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and the people of Montenegro.  I pray that Almighty God may bless you all with peace and strength, as I invoke divine blessings upon the nation.

Francis

While flying over Serbia

His Excellency, Aleksandar Vućić
President of the Republic of Serbia
Belgrade

Entering Serbian airspace on my way to Bulgaria and Northern Macedonia, I offer prayerful best wishes to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens and I invoke upon the nation the divine blessings of peace and joy.

No comments: