Pope flies from Uganda to the Central African Republic

Pope flies from Uganda to the Central African Republic

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis concluded his visit to Uganda on Sunday morning with a brief farewell ceremony at the international airport at Entebbe, before flying to the Central African Republic for the final leg of his first Apostolic Voyage to Africa.

His brief flight from Kampala, Uganda to Bangui, the capital of the CAR, took him through the airspace of three countries. As is customary, the Holy Father addressed telegrams to the leaders of the three countries:

Entebbe – Bangui
29 novembre

Uganda

HIS EXCELLENCY YOWERI MUSEVENI
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA
KAMPALA

I RENEW MY GRATITUDE TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND ALL THE UGANDAN PEOPLE FOR YOUR WARM HOSPITALITY DURING MY STAY. AS I DEPART FOR MY PASTORAL VISIT TO THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, I ASSURE YOU OF MY SPIRITUAL CLOSENESS AND I INVOKE UPON UGANDA THE DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE, JOY AND PROSPERITY.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

HIS EXCELLENCY JOSEPH KABILA
PRESIDENT OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO
KINSHASA

AS I ENTER THE AIRSPACE OF THE NATION ON MY APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I INVOKE THE BLESSING OF ALMIGHTY GOD UPON THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO, AND I PRAY THAT HE MAY GRANT YOU ALL THE GIFTS OF PEACE AND WELL-BEING.

FRANCISCUS PP.

Central African Republic

HER EXCELLENCY CATHERINE SAMBA-PANZA
INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
BANGUI

AS I ENTER THE AIRSPACE OF THE NATION, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF THE CENTRAL AFRICIAN REPUBLIC. WITH JOY I LOOK FORWARD TO MY VISIT TO THE COUNTRY, AND I INVOKE ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON YOU ALL.

FRANCISCUS PP.

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