Pope Francis is embarking on his three-day visit to Romania, May 31 – June 2, having taken off in his Alitalia flight with his papal entourage and journalists.
ZENIT French journalist, Anne Kurian, is following on the papal flight. The visit marks Francis’ 30th Apostolic Visit abroad and his 45th country visited.
Before leaving for the airport, according to the Vatican, Francis met with a group of 15 Romanians, who are homeless and living in Rome. Last evening, as is tradition before his trips, the Holy Father went to Rome’s Marian Basilica, Santa Maria Maggiore, to pray to the Blessed Mother.
https://zenit.org/articles/inside-look-the-beloved-marian-shrine-sumuleu-ciuc-in-transylvania-pope-francis-will-visit-in-romania/
The Holy Father is expected to focus on ecumenical dialogue, as it is a majority Orthodox nation, and to encourage the country’s small Catholic flock, which, according to Vatican figures is about 7.2 percent of the population.
INSIDE THE PAPAL FLIGHT: Zenit French journalist, Anne Kurian, is on Papal Flight(📸 Anne Kurian) #PopeFrancis is making his 30th Apostolic Trip abroad to #Romania.
Earlier this morning, Francis met w/a group of 15 Romanians, who are homeless & living in Rome pic.twitter.com/LzRWmvc9R6— ZenitEnglish (@zenitenglish) May 31, 2019
The Vatican on April 25, 2019, released the updated program below for the trip:
#PopeinRomania: #PopeFrancis has departed for his 30th Apostolic Trip abroad to #Romania. The flight should take 2h 20 minutes and cover 1308 km.
Zenit French Journalist, Anne Kurian, is on Papal Flight(📸 Anne Kurian) pic.twitter.com/S7iLabNsHJ
— ZenitEnglish (@zenitenglish) May 31, 2019
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Apostolic Trip of His Holiness Francis to Romania – Updated Program
Friday 31 May 2019 ROME-BUCHAREST |
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08:10 | Departure by air from Rome-Fiumicino Airport for Bucharest | ||||
11:30 | Arrival at Henri Coandă-Otopeni International Airport in Bucharest | ||||
OFFICIAL WELCOME at the airport | |||||
12:05 | WELCOME CEREMONY at the entrance of the complex of the Cotroceni Presidential Palace | ||||
12:20 | COURTESY VISIT TO THE PRESIDENT OF ROMANIA in the Cotroceni Presidential Palace | ||||
12:50 | MEETING WITH THE PRIME MINISTER in the Cotroceni Presidential Palace | ||||
13:00 | MEETING with the AUTHORITIES, with CIVIL SOCIETY and with the DIPLOMATIC CORPS in the Unirii Hall of the Cotroceni Palace | Address of the Holy Father | |||
15:45 | PRIVATE MEETING WITH THE PATRIARCH in the Palace of the Patriarchate | ||||
16:15 | MEETING WITH THE PERMANENT SYNOD OF THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH in the Palace of the Patriarchate | Address of the Holy Father | |||
17.00 | THE LORD’S PRAYER in the new Orthodox Cathedral | Greeting of the Holy Father | |||
18.10 | HOLY MASS in the Catholic Saint Joseph Cathedral | Homily of the Holy Father | |||
Saturday 1 June 2019 BUCAREST-BACAU-SUMULEU-CIUC-IASI-BUCAREST |
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09:30 | Departure by air for Bacau | ||||
10:10 | Arrival at Bacau Airport and transfer by helicopter to the Air Base of the Mountain Brigade of Miercurea-Ciuc | ||||
11:30 | HOLY MASS in the Shrine of Sumuleu-Ciuc | Homily of the Holy Father | |||
Helicopter transfer to Iasi Airport | |||||
17:25 | VISIT TO OUR LADY QUEEN OF IASI CATHEDRAL in Iasi | ||||
17:45 | MARIAN MEETING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES in the square in front of the Palace of Culture in Iasi | Address of the Holy Father | |||
19:00 | Departure by air for Bucarest | ||||
20:00 | Arrival at Henri Coandă-Otopeni International Airport in Bucharest | ||||
Sunday 2 June 2019 BUCHAREST-SIBIU-BLAJ-SIBIU-ROME |
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09:00 | Departure by air for Sibiu | ||||
09:40 | Arrival at Sibiu Airport and transfer by helicopter to Blaj | ||||
11:00 | DIVINE LITURGY with the Beatification of 7 Greek-Catholic Martyr bishops in the Field of Liberty in Blaj | Homily of the Holy Father Regina Coeli |
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13:25 | Lunch with the Papal entourage | ||||
15:45 | MEETING WITH THE ROM COMMUNITY OF BLAJ | Greeting of the Holy Father | |||
16:35 | Transfer by helicopter to Sibiu Airport | ||||
17:20 | FAREWELL CEREMONY at Sibiu Airport | ||||
17:30 | Departure of the Papal aircraft for Rome-Ciampino Airport | ||||
18:45 | Arrival at Rome-Ciampino Airport |