Thursday, January 18, 2018

Departure from Chile

At 2:00pm local time this afternoon (12:00 noon EST), the Holy Father had lunch with the members of the Papal Party at the Retirement home at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Upon his arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the Rector and by two of the priests who are resident at the home.  Together, they accompanied him to the church, where he left a floral bouquet which had been presented to him by three children.

Also in attendance were 10 sick persons and a family representing the victims of repression which took place during the 1970s.  This family presented the Holy Father with a letter.

Before leaving the home, the Holy Father posed for three photographs: one with a group of seminarians, one with a group of Missionary Salesian Sisters who had served lunch and the third with a few members of the local organizing committee.

Finally, after having greeted all the priests who were gathered along the roadway in front of the entrance to the home, the Pope travelled by car to the Diego Aracena Airport for his flight to Perù.


Departure from Chile

This afternoon, at 4:15pm local time (2:15pm EST), the official departure ceremony took place at the Diego Aracena International Airport in Iquique (Chile).

Upon his arrival at the airport, the Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Republic, Michelle Bachelet Jeria.  After military honours had been presented and the members of the respective delegations had greeted one another, the aircraft - a LATAM A321 - carrying the Holy Father, departed at 4:50pm local time (2:50pm EST) and flew to Lima (Perù).


Immediately after leaving the airport, the Holy Father, Pope Francis sent the following telegram to the President of the Republic of Chile.

Her Excellency, Michelle Bachelet
President of the Republic of Chile
Santiago

As I depart from Chile to continue my Apostolic Journey to Perù, I renew my deep appreciation to Your Excellency, the government and the beloved people of Chile for your warm welcome and generous hospitality.  Invoking abundant divine blessings upon all of you, I offer the assurance of my prayers for peace and prosperity in the nation.

Francis

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