Pope Francis sent a message to President Reuven Rivlin as he crossed Israel on his way to Baghdad from Rome on his historic four-day visit to the country – a pontiff’s first visit to Iraq. The Pope’s flight was allowed to pass through Israeli airspace to reach its destination in Iraq. Air traffic control stations in northern Israel transmitted the message recorded by Francisco to Rivlin. “His Excellency Reuven Rivlin, President of the State of Israel. Entering Israeli airspace on my apostolic trip to Iraq, I send warm greetings to you and the people of the nation, “said the Pope.” Praying that Almighty God will bless everyone with his gift of harmony and peace. Franciscus Papa. ”Air traffic controllers thanked the Alitalia pilot for relaying the dispatch and promised to send the message to the president. Rivlin’s office notes that the president was “deeply moved by the kind words of the Pope, with whom he is in close and warm contact. “
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– Reuven Rivlin (@PresidentRuvi) March 6, 2021
Pope Francis left Rome on Friday to begin a four-day trip to Iraq, his most risky trip abroad since his election in 2012. An Alitalia plane carrying the Pope, his entourage, a security detachment and about 75 journalists left Leonardo da Roma Airport da Vinci for the 4-1 / 2 hour flight to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Iraq is sending thousands of additional security guards to protect Francisco during the visit, which follows a wave of rocket and suicide bomb attacks that have raised fears for the leader’s Catholic security. The 84-year-old will visit four cities, including the former Islamic State stronghold of Mosul, where churches and other buildings still bear the scars of the conflict. Francis visited Ur on Saturday, the birthplace of the prophet Abraham, who is revered by Christians, Muslims and Jews, and meets Iraq’s top Shiite Muslim cleric, the great 90-year-old Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The trip is the pope’s 33rd outside Italy. He is due to return to Rome on Monday morning.
Reuters contributed to this report.