Concludes apostolic visit with a stop at St. Mary Major to thank Our Lady
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ROME — As Pope Francis flew over the United States last night on his way home to the Vatican from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, he sent the following telegram to the U.S. president and all U.S. citizens:
THE HONORABLE BARACK H. OBAMA
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
WASHINGTON
I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOU AS I FLY OVER THE COUNTRY ON MY WAY HOME FROM MEXICO. RENEWING THE ASSURANCE OF MY PRAYERS FOR YOU AND ALL THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES, I INVOKE UPON YOU ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS.
The pope sent similar telegrams to the heads of state of Portugal, Spain and Italy as he flew over their respective air-space.
According to an official statement issued by the Vatican, after landing in Rome around 3 p.m. local time, the pope went to the Basilica of St. Mary Major “to thank the Salus Populi romani” for the happy success of his apostolic journey.
Diane Montagna is Rome correspondent for Aleteia’s English edition.
