By Devin Watkins
The papal plane departed from Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 5:32 PM, as the Pope began his 45th Apostolic Journey abroad.
The 12-day visit to four countries in Asia and Oceania will be the longest Pope Francis has ever made as the Successor of Peter.
Ahead of his departure from the Casa Santa Marta, the Pope met with 15 people who are homeless and assisted by the Dicastery for the Service of Charity.
According to the Holy See Press Office, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski accompanied the group to the Pope’s residence for a brief visit.
“This afternoon, shortly after 4:00 PM, around fifteen homeless individuals, both men and women, accompanied by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Papal Almoner, visited Pope Francis at Casa Santa Marta before his departure for his upcoming Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania,” said a statement.
The Pope then traveled by car to the airport, where he boarded the papal plane.
The papal plane is scheduled to land in Jakarta at around 11:30 AM (GMT+7).
As he departed, Pope Francis sent a telegramme to the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella.
“As I am about to undertake my Apostolic Journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, driven by the desire to meet with our brothers and sisters in the faith and all those who, in these nations rich in human and spiritual values, have borne witness to solidarity, communion, and dialogue even in times and situations marked by trial, I am pleased to extend to you, Mr. President, and to the beloved Italian people my best wishes, which I accompany with heartfelt hopes for peace and prosperity.” – Vatican News
