For years now, papal responsabilities include traveling, but it wasn't always like that. Back in 1964, Paul VI became the first Pope to board a papal plane.
ROBERTO PAGLIALONGA
Author, La 'Chiesa in Uscita' di Paolo VI
'Pope Montini decided to embrace a communication plan, by announcing the Gospel to the world in the land of Jesus. His first trip was precisely to the Holy Land.'
It was an important trip that happened 50 years ago, leaving images like these, for history. They include the embrace between the Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch, Athenagoras of Constantinople, after a thousand years of tension between the Catholic and Orthodox Church.
Roberto Paglialonga authored a book which highlights all the Pope's travels and his consistent message of peace. He says Paul VI's visit to the United Nations in New York back in 1965 was key, especially since the Vietnam war was underway.
ROBERTO PAGLIALONGA
Author, La 'Chiesa in Uscita' di Paolo VI
'He talked about peace, encouraging everyone to oppose war. From this speech, came his famous cry of 'No more war, war never again!.' It was a speech that was heard throughout the United Nations.'
His travels also included Africa. In 1969, he encouraged African missionaries to take on their extraordinary role as ordinary people. Many people don't know that during a trip to the Philippines in Manila, he was stabbed. He was also the first Pope to visit Hong Kong.
ROBERTO PAGLIALONGA
Author, La 'Chiesa in Uscita' di Paolo VI
'He always spoke about peace. That's why the subtitle of the book is 'the diplomacy of peace.' Paul VI spoke about peace in all of his international trips.'
From the United States to India, from Turkey to Colombia and even Iran, it was thanks to Paul VI that a new international window was opened to the world.
