Pope thanks journalists on return flight from Corsica for
their work
Due to the tight schedule of his return flight, Pope Francis
did not hold his customary press conference with the journalists accompanying
him. But he did wish to express his joy in seeing a large number of parents
with children in Ajaccio. Journalists on the plane gave him a surprise cake to
celebrate his 88th birthday on Tuesday 17 December.
By Salvatore Cernuzio (travelling with the
Pope)
On his return flight from Ajaccio to Rome, Pope Francis did
not hold his usual press conference with journalists on the plane, as he
usually does on every apostolic journey. The very tight timing of the flight,
less than 40 minutes, did not permit it. This had never happened on other
international papal journeys, but it had also never occurred that a journey
would be so short.
At the same time, as soon as the Pope boarded the plane, he
did not want to miss the chance to greet the 67 journalists accompanying him on
his ten hour visit to the Mediterranean island of Corsica. Sharing his thoughts
with everyone, he recalled an observation that struck him most during this
visit to Ajaccio: the number of children seen during various meetings,
particularly at Mass in the Place d'Austerlitz, but also on the streets, being
held by or walking alongside their parents.
A land that has children
“Thank you so much for your work,” the Pope began. “I’d like
to point out one thing: have you seen the number of children? This is a land
that has children." The Pope added, “Both in East Timor and here,”
recalling one of the stops from his long pilgrimage in September through
Southeast Asia and Oceania, “I was happy to see a people who have children.
This is the future.”
“Thank you so much for your work,” the Pope repeated to the
journalists, cameramen, and photographers accompanying him on the papal plane.
“Thank you so much for this. See you on the next trip!” “Where?” asked the
journalists from their seats. “I don’t know!” the Pope replied with a smile.
A surprise celebration
The short flight allowed the Pope to enjoy a small moment of
celebration when members of Aigav, the association of accredited Vatican
journalists from all continents gave the Pope a cake to celebrate the Pope’s
upcoming 88th birthday on 17 December.
A cake from all the journalists
The cake, not a real one (a “fake cake,” as some joked), was
made by a Roman bakery that offered it for free out of great admiration for the
Argentine Pope. It was three tiers, with the white and yellow colors of the
Vatican flag, bearing the inscription “Happy Birthday Pope Francis,” with a
figurine of the Pope sitting and giving a thumbs-up on top, and the words “Best
Wishes!” underneath.
The cake was presented to the Pope amidst a chorus of “Happy
Birthday...” sung by the French colleagues. It was handed over by Mexican
journalist Valentina Alazraki, the dean of Vatican journalists, long-time
correspondent for Televisa Univision, and newly elected president of Aigav, who
has accompanied the Pope on 161 trips. “All the journalists wished him a happy
birthday,” said Alazraki as she presented the gift with humour. Even the Pope
smiled and repeatedly said “thank you,” blessing with his hand those whom he
has always called his “travel companions.”
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