In his meeting with ITA Airways, Pope Francis thanked the airline that has made papal trips possible for years. He called them 'the Pope's wings' because they allow him to fly around the globe.
POPE FRANCIS
It is important for me to meet people, communities, believers, believers of other religions, and women and men of good will. Meeting in person is different from a message or a video. The Pope travels to confirm his brothers and sisters in the faith, to be close to those who suffer, to help those who strive for peace. All this is also possible thanks to you.
The Pope listed the number of trips his predecessors had taken with the airline and the impact they had on the communities they visited. He added that he will soon begin his 41st apostolic pilgrimage, which will be to Hungary.
The first ever papal pilgrimage outside of Europe was on January 4, 1964 when Pope St. Paul VI traveled to the Holy Land.
PA
TR: AT
