Before flying to Egypt on April 28, 2017, Pope Francis had two meetings: a pause in the Basilica of Saint Mary Major and a meeting with young Egyptian immigrants on the morning of his departure.
The Pontiff entrusted his 18th international Apostolic Journey to the Virgin Mary, going on the eve of his trip, April 27, to the Roman Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where he placed flowers before the icon of Mary Salus Populi Romani. This was his 46th visit to the Basilica: the Holy Father goes there before each of his international trips, but also after them, to give thanks.
On the morning of his departure, the Pope met with nine Egyptian immigrants, accompanied by the Papal Almoner Monsignor Konrad Krajewski, at his Saint Martha’s residence, reported the Italian Catholic daily Avvenire. The Pontiff, who was carrying his black travel bag, greeted them one by one and received a bouquet of flowers from them.
The youths are guests at the Centro Astalli of Rome, within the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).
It was not the first time that refugees or migrants, in whose favor the Pope never ceases to appeal, came to express their good wishes before a departure: before the World Youth Day of July 27, 2016, he also received some 15 young people, who, not having papers enabling them to travel abroad, were unable to go to Poland.
In September 2015 the family of Syrian Christian refugees received by Saint Anne’s parish in the Vatican, greeted him before his departure for Cuba and the United States.
Pope Francis flew to Egypt shortly after 11:00 am (Rome time) on board Alitalia’s flight A321. He is due to land in Cairo around 4:20 pm, after flying for 3.15 hours covering 2,350 kilometers.
