The return flight of a pope from an apostolic journey has become associated with an in-flight press conference, giving the Holy Father a chance not only to reflect on the trip but also to answer a wide range of often challenging questions from global media.
This time, Pope Leo is flying without the press, and getting back to Rome in an unexpected way: On the personal aircraft of King Felipe VI.
If you missed the play-by-play of the Pope's flight delay, you can read about it here, though one detail it doesn't include is that King Felipe waited for three hours for a plane to take him back to Madrid:
The Holy Father landed in Rome at 11:05 pm.
Here are some pictures of those moments at the airport:
An overview of the trip?
This coming Wednesday, as is customary, we can expect Pope Leo will speak about the trip at the general audience. And perhaps the evening before, he will take some questions from the press as he leaves Castel Gandolfo for his weekly day of rest.
For now, we have his closing words at the end of this morning's last Mass of the journey:
Dear brothers and sisters, this Eucharistic celebration marks the end of my Apostolic Journey in Spain. I give thanks to God and to all who have welcomed me and who, in countless ways, have helped prepare and carry out the various events in Madrid, Barcelona, and Montserrat, and here in the Canary Islands.
I return to Rome deeply moved by the great affection I have received and comforted by the testimonies of faith and love for the Church, which are a testament to Spain’s profound Catholic spirit.
From this port, which bears the name of the Holy Cross, my thoughts turn to the whole world and its wounds, which cause entire populations to suffer. To all, I would like to offer the motto of this journey: “Lift up your gaze!” Yes, let us turn our eyes to Christ Crucified; his Heart is the source of mercy, which alone can save humanity — which is in need of forgiveness and reconciliation — so that it may attain true and lasting peace. Let us lift up our eyes, as did Mary, the Mother of all who suffer, and guided by her, let us continue our journey with hope!
Beloved brothers and sisters, thank you from the bottom of my heart! Let us remain united in prayer and in communion in Christ and in the Holy Church.
You can read all the homilies, prayers, and speeches here.
