Pope Francis arrives in Rome after South Korea trip

Pope Francis arrives in Rome after South Korea trip

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis arrived at Rome’s Ciampino airport a little before 6 p.m., local time, on Monday, bringing to a close his first apostolic journey to South Korea.

The Pope brought with him a bouquet of flowers, which a seven-year-old Korean girl, named Mary Sol, had given him before his flight departed from the Seoul Air Base at 1 p.m., local time. According to a report by the Osservatore Romano, the Pope had promised the girl he would give these flowers as a gift to Our Lady. 

Upon his arrival, the Pope was driven from Ciampino airport to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he is said to have placed these flowers at the foot of the Marian statue of Salus Populi Romani. There, he offered prayers of thanksgiving to Our Lady for his trip to South Korea. The Pope had visited the basilica prior to his trip and had entrusted his journey to Mary. 

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