Welcomed there by the Rector of the Institute, Father Mahamalage Quintus Fernando, the Pope went to the chapel, accompanied by ten Jesuit Fathers from that community and stopped for a moment of silent prayer. Also present at the time was a choir and a few local fishermen, while outside the chapel, there were numerous sea farers who had also worked on the construction of the Centre.
Shortly before 9:00am, at the international airport in Colombo, the departure ceremony was held. The Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Maithripala Sirisena, and by civic and religious authorities as well as a group of faithful. After the military honours had been presented, and having greeted the respective dignitaries, the aircraft bearing the Holy Father - an A340 belonging to Sri Lankan Airlines - departed at 9:10am local time for Manila.
The following telegrams were dispatched as the Pope's plane travelled to Manila:
Sri Lanka
HIS EXCELLENCY MAITHRIPALA SIRISENA
PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA
COLOMBO
AS I DEPART FROM SRI LANKA, I EXTEND TO YOU, THE GOVERNMENT AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR YOUR WARM WELCOME AND EVERY KINDNESS SHOWN TO ME DURING MY VISIT. I RENEW TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS FOR PEACE, UNITY AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
India
HIS EXCELLENCY PRANAB MUKHERJEE
PRESIDENT OF INDIA
NEW DELHI
I RENEW MY WARM GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AS I FLY OVER INDIA ON MY WAY FROM SRI LANKA TO THE PHILIPPINES. WITH PRAYERS FOR THE NATION, I INVOKE UPON ALL THE CITIZENS ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Myanmar
HIS EXCELLENCY THEIN SEIN
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE UNION OF MYANMAR
NAYPYITAW
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AS I FLY OVER THE COUNTRY ON MY WAY FROM SRI LANKA TO THE PHILIPPINES. I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF MYANMAR, INVOKING UPON YOU ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Thailandia
HIS MAJESTY BHUMIBOL ADULYADEJ
KING OF THAILAND
BANGKOK
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR MAJESTY AS I FLY OVER THAILAND ON MY WAY FROM SRI LANKA TO THE PHILIPPINES. I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE KINGDOM, INVOKING UPON YOU ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Cambodia
HIS MAJESTY NORODOM SIHAMONI
KING OF CAMBODIA
PHNOM PENH
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR MAJESTY AS I FLY OVER THE KINGDOM ON MY WAY FROM SRI LANKA TO THE PHILIPPINES. I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF CAMBODIA, INVOKING UPON YOU ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
Vietnam
HIS EXCELLENCY TRUONG TAN SANG
PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
HANOI
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AS I FLY OVER THE COUNTRY ON MY WAY FROM SRI LANKA TO THE PHILIPPINES. I ASSURE YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF VIETNAM, INVOKING UPON YOU ABUNDANT BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
The Pope's aircraft reached Villamor Air Base in Manila at 5:35pm local time (10:35am in Rome), after a flight of almost six hours.
The Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Philippine Republic, His Excellency, Benigno S. Aquino III, the Apostolic Nuncio, His Excellency, Giuseppe Pinto, and various other State Authorities as well as the Praesidium of the Philippine Episcopal Conference and about a thousand faithful. Following the national hymns and the presentation of the respective delegations, the Pope and the President met briefly in a room at the airport. Then Pope Francis travelled in a covered vehicle to the Apostolic Nunciature in Manila.
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