Monday, September 11, 2017

Departure from Colombia

At 6:25pm yesterday afternoon, the Holy Father, Pope Francis arrived at the Rafael Núñez airport in Cartagena where the official departure ceremonies were held before he left Colombia.

Upon his arrival at the airport, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic, His Excellency, Juan Manuel Santos Calderón and his wife near the Aerosupport FBO hangar where a room for their brief meeting had been prepared.

After military honours had been presented and the members of the respective delegations had been introduced to one another, some traditional songs and dances were performed and the Holy Father boarded the plane, an Avaianca B787 for the return flight to Italy.  Arrival at Rome's Ciampino airport was estimated at 12:40pm local time today.


Immediately after departing from the Rafael Núñez airport in Cartagena, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Colombia.

Telegram of His Holiness, Pope Francis
addressed to the President of the Republic of Colombia

His Excellency, Juan Manuel Santos
President of the Republic of Colombia
Bogotá

Returning to Rome at the conclusion of my Apostolic Visit to Colombia, I once again wish to express sincere thanksgiving to Almighty God for the many graces received over the past few days.  With renewed gratitude for the hospitality I have received, I assure Your Excellency and all the beloved people of Colombia of my continued prayers for the peace and prosperity of the nation.  As a pledge of peace in the Lord, I gladly invoke upon all of you God's abundant blessings.

Francis

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