Sunday, January 27, 2019

Panama to Rome

At 5:30pm EST today, the Holy Father, Pope Francis arrived at the Tocumen International Airport where the official departure ceremony took place.

Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic, Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez and his wife in a specially designed salon where a short meeting took place.

Following the playing of the respective national anthems and having greeted the bishops who were present, the Pope climbed aboard the Avianca B787 for his return flight to Italy.

The aircraft carrying the Pope on the return flight from his Apostolic voyage to the Republic of Panama departed at 6:25pm EST and landed at Rome's Ciampino airport at 11:15am local time (5:15am) on Monday.


Immediately after the departure of the aircraft carrying the Pope from Panama to Rome, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic, Mister Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez.

His Excellency, Juan Carlos Varela Rodríguez
President of the Republic of Panama
Panama City

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

Francis

During the flight from Panama to Rome, flying over Colombia, Curaçao, the Dominican Republic, Porto Rico, the United States of America, Portugal, Spain, France and finally arriving in Italy, the Pope sent the following telegrams to their respective Heads of State.

Flying over Colombia

His Excellency, Iván Duque Márquez
President of the Republic of Colombia
Bogota

As my return flight from my Apostolic visit to Panama takes me over Colombia, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens, commending the nation to the care of the Almighty, I willingly invoke upon all of you God's abundant blessings.

Francis

Flying over Curaçao

His Majesty Willem-Alexander
King of the Netherlands

En route to Rome at the conclusion of my Apostolic visit to Panama, I once again greet the people of the Dutch Caribbean, invoking upon them the divine blessings of peace, health and prosperity.

Francis

Flying over the Dominican Republic

His Excellency, Danilo Medina Sánchez
President of the Dominican Republic
Santo Domingo

As I fly over the Dominican Republic on my return journey from Panama to Rome, I send cordial greetings to Your Excellency and your fellow citizens.  Entrusting the nation to the providence of the Almighty, I willingly invoke upon all of you God's abundant blessings.

Francis

Flying over Porto Rico and the United States of America

The Honourable Donald J. Trump
President of the United States of America
Washington

As my return journey to Rome at the conclusion of my Apostolic visit to Panama takes me once more through the airspace of the United States, I cordially renew my prayers that all the people of the nation may enjoy the abundant blessings of Almighty God.

Francis

Flying over Portugal

His Excellency, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
President of the Portuguese Republic
Lisbon

As my return journey to Rome following my Apostolic visit to Panama takes me once more through Portuguese airspace, I cordially renew my prayers that all the people of Portugal may be filled with the abundant blessings of Almighty God.

Francis

Flying over Spain

His Majesty, Filipe VI
King of Spain
Madrid

Returning to Rome following my Apostolic visit to Panama, I once again send warm greetings to Your Majesty, the members of the royal family and the people of Spain, with renewed prayers for the security, well being and prosperity of all.

Francis

Flying over France

His Excellency, Emmanuel Macron
President of the French Republic
Paris

Returning to Rome at the conclusion of my Apostolic visit to Panama, I once again express my cordial best wishes to Your Excellency and the people of France.  With the assurance of my prayers, I gladly invoke upon all of you Almighty God's blessings of joy and peace.

Francis

Arriving in Italian airspace

His Excellency, the Honourable Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Palazzo del Quirinale

Upon my re-entry from my Apostolic voyage to Panama, where I met courageous young people and motivated by a desire to build a future of peace and fraternity, bearing witness to perennial Christian values, with all my heart I send to Your Excellency and to the beloved Italian nation my cordial greetings, assuring you all of my special prayer.

Francis

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