Pope Francis departed today from Rome to Havana, to undertake a historic three-day visit which is expected to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro.
Pope Francis departed today from Rome to Havana, to undertake a historic three-day visit which is expected to meet with Cuban President Raul Castro.
The Pontiff took an Airbus A330-200 of the Alitalia Airlines Company. According to the agenda, the Pope is scheduled to arrive in the Havana International Airport at 4: 00 pm, where he will be received by Cuban President Raul Castro.
After the welcoming ceremony, the head of the Catholic Church will move to the Apostolic Nunciature, where he will greet thousands of Havana residents gathered on the route will transit.
This is the third papal visit to be recorded in Cuba. The first was made by John Paul II in 1998, while the second was took place in 2012 by Benedict XVI.
Jorge Bergoglio arrived in the air base from the Vatican aboard a blue Ford Focus car and was welcomed by several local authorities and airport before leaving for Havana.
Source: RHC
Translation: Ilia Charon