Off to Armenia

Pope Francis' 14th International Apostolic Voyage began this morning.  It will see him visiting Armenia, the first step of a larger tour of the Caucasus, which will include visits to Georgia and Azerbaijan in September of this year.

The aircraft carrying the Holy Father (an Alitalia A321) departed from Rome's Fumicino international airport at approximately 9:20am local time today, and is expected to arrive at the Zvartnots international airport in Yerevan (Armenia) at 3:00pm local time (7:00am EDT), following a four-hour flight.

At the moment when he left Italian airspace, en route for Yerevan, the Holy Father dispatched a message addressed to the President of the Italian Republic, the Honourable Sergio Mattarella.

Telegram of the Holy Father, Pope Francis

to the President of the Italian Republic

To His Excellency
the Honourable Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Palazzo del Quirinale - 00187 Roma

At the moment when I begin my Apostolic Voyage to Armenia to seek the ancient wisdom of that people, to confirm them in their faith and to support every effort being made on the path to peace and reconciliation, I express to you, Mister President and to the entire Italian nation, my cordial greetings, along with encouragement for the entire country to keep their efforts toward solidarity on the front lines, looking toward the future with trust and hope.

Franciscus

During the voyage from Rome to Yerevan (Armenia), as he passed over Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, Serbia, Bulgaria and Turkey, the Holy Father sent the following messages:

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

As I fly over Croatia on my way to Armenia for a pastoral visit, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, together with my prayers that Almighty God will bless all of you with peace and well-being.

Franciscus

While passing over Bosnia-Herzegovina
His Excellency, Bakir Izetbegović
President of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sarajevo

I extend cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, as I fly over Bosnia and Herzegovina en route to Armenia for a pastoral visit.  I pray that almighty God may grant you all his blessings.

Franciscus

While passing over Montenegro
His Excellency Filip Vujanović
President of Montegegro
Podgorica

As I fly over Montenegro on my apostolic journey to Armenia, I extend cordial greetings to Your Excellency, I pray that Almighty God may bestow upon you and your fellow citizens peace and prosperity.

Franciscus

While passing over Belgrade
His Excellency, Tomislav Nikolić
President of the Republic of Serbia
Belgrade

Entering Serbian airspace on my pastoral journey to Armenia, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, and I invoke divine blessings upon the nation.

Francis

While passing over Bulgaria
His Excellency, Rosen Plevneliev
President of the Republic of Bulgaria
Sofia

As I fly over Bulgaria on my way to Armenia, I extend cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, invoking upon all of you Almighty God's blessings of peace and prosperity.

Franciscus

While passing over Turkey
His Excellency, Recep Tayyip Erdogan
President of the Republic of Turkey
Ankara

Flying over Turkey on my pastoral visit to Armenia, I extend best wishes to your excellency and your fellow citizens, with prayers that the Most High will bestow upon all the nation his choicest blessings.

Franciscus