Pope Francis arrived in Santiago, Chile, in the early evening of January 15, 2018, to begin the apostolic journey to Chile and Peru that will continue until January 22.
On his arrival, the Holy Father was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Chile, Michelle Bachelet Jeria, by the President of the Senate Andrés Zaldivar, by the President of the chamber of Deputies Fidel Espinoza, by the President of the Supreme Court Haroldo Brito, from minister for Foreign Affairs Heraldo Muñoz and the Ambassador of Chile to the Holy See Mariano Fernandez. Also present were the Archbishop of Santiago de Chile, Card. Ricardo Ezzati Andrello,
S.D.B., and the President of the Episcopal Conference of Chile, S.E. Mons. Santiago Silva Retamales. After the floral tribute of two children in traditional dress, military honors and the presentation of the Delegations, the Pope moved by car to the Apostolic Nunciature of Santiago of Chile.
Before reaching the Apostolic Nunciature, Pope Francis made a brief stop at the parish of San Luis Beltrán, of Pudahuel, to gather in prayer on the tomb of Mons. Enrique Alvear Urrutia, known as the «bishop of the poor».
