The Pope's trip to Budapest and Slovakia began before the sun rose over Rome.
At six in the morning the papal plane jetted off, taking Pope Francis on his first trip since his operation.
POPE FRANCIS
“We are taking trips again, and this is important because we will bring the Word and a greeting to many people.”
The Pope greeted the journalists onboard the flight, who offered him various gifts.
Rome Reports correspondent Javier Romero gave the Pope a shirt worn by a Christian Afghan who fled from the Taliban with his family, and after several days in hiding in Kabul, asked for the Pope's help to leave the country. The Vatican acted to help them get onboard one of the evacuation flights.
Pope Francis arrived in Budapest just a few minutes ahead of schedule.
Dozens waited for him on the tarmac, including the Archbishop of Budapest, Cardinal Péter Erdő, and the deputy prime minister of Hungary.
The Pope will spend Sunday morning in Budapest, and will celebrate the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress.
JMB
TR: JM
