Pope Francis has begun his apostolic journey to the eastern Mediterranean region, flying first to Cyprus in his two-nation visit.
Accompanying him on the 3-hour flight from Rome on an A320 plane of Italy’s new state-owned flag carrier ITA Airways, were 77 journalists, 7 of them from Cyprus and Greece.
Pope Francis greeted and thanked them for their company.
“It is a beautiful journey, and we will also touch some wounds,” he told them.
“I hope we can all welcome all the messages we will find.”
The Pope met with President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Anastasiades, local Authorities, Civil Society, and the Diplomatic Corps, praising the island nation as “a crossroads of civilizations.”
President Anastasiades thanked Pope Francis for his visit to Cyprus, highlighting the nation’s long history of welcoming people to its land, and the key role it has played given its geographic location between west and east, while favoring peaceful coexistence and welcome to other peoples.
The multi-ethnic makeup is characteristic of the nation, he noted, while expressing his support for the work of the Holy See in promoting peace and dialogue throughout the world.
He also noted how Cyprus has welcomed so many refugees and migrants to its land, and thanked Pope Francis for all he has done in this area, especially bringing 50 migrants from Cyprus to Italy.
He underscored the ongoing challenge presented by a divided Cyprus.
“I pray for your peace, for the peace of the entire island, and I make it my fervent hope,” the Pope said.
