The aircraft with Leo The Pope then returned to the Vatican by car. Having arrived at the Tenerife Norte – Los Rodeos airport around 3.45pm local time, about an hour behind schedule, the Pope was welcomed by King Felipe VI of Spain, some Canarian authorities and the local Church delegation. After the playing of the hymns and the honoring of the flags, the Pontiff and the sovereign reviewed the Guard of Honor and then greeted the respective delegations. Also in the Spanish meeting were the government spokesperson and minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, and the governor of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo. At the foot of the plane’s ladder, what should have been the final farewell with the Spanish sovereign, before the departure was postponed due to a technical fault in the aircraft and its replacement with the military Falcon offered by the King of Spain. Here are the telegrams sent by the Pope to the heads of state of the countries flown over.
His Majesty Felipe VI
King of Spain
Madrid
Returning to Rome at the conclusion of my Apostolic Journey, I wish to express once again my gratitude to Your Majesty, the Authorities and the people of Spain, for the warm welcome and generous hospitality given to me during this visit. Assuring you and all Spaniards of my continued prayers for the peace and unity of the Nation, I cordially invoke upon each of you an abundance of divine blessings.
Leo PP. XIV
His Majesty Mohammed VI
King of Morocco
Rabat
En route to Rome at the conclusion of my Apostolic Journey to Spain, I willingly renew my good wishes to Your Majesty and the people of Morocco, and I assure you of my prayers for the good of the Kingdom.
Leo PP. XIV
To His Excellency
Hon. Sergio Mattarella
President of the Italian Republic
Quirinale Palace
00187 Rome
Upon returning from my Apostolic Journey to Spain, where I had the joy of experiencing the living faith of that beloved people who, rooted in evangelical values, are still today characterized by their spirit of welcome and Christian brotherhood, I offer you, Mr President, my cordial greeting assuring my constant prayer for the beloved Italian nation.
Leo PP. XIV
For his part, the Italian head of state Sergio Mattarella responded with a message in which he addressed the Pontiff a “warm greeting” upon his return from the apostolic trip, underlining the Pope’s exhortation to build “more harmonious and supportive societies, in full respect of the centrality and dignity of the human person”.
