Pope Francis sends greetings to Bermuda from the air
HAMILTON, Bermuda (CMC) — Pope Francis sent best wishes to Bermuda as he flew over the island while on the way to his historic visit to Cuba.
“The aircraft was inside Bermuda airspace at the time and the pilot stated that Pope Francis was on board and wanted to pray for Bermuda,” according to a statement released Monday by the Department of Airport Operations.
The pope, on board an Alitalia flight from Rome to Havana on Saturday, sent cordial greetings after asking flight crew members to contact the Bermuda air traffic control (ATC) tower.
“He transmitted a prayer on the ATC tower frequency and then proceeded on his historic flight to Cuba,” the department added.
The radio transcript of the prayer read: “I send cordial greetings [to] your excellency and your fellow citizens. As I fly over your country on my way to Cuba for a pastoral visit; evoking these blessings upon you all.
“I ask Almighty God to grant to the nation: well-being and peace. From a peaceful pope.”
The department said the duty controller thanked the pope on behalf of Bermuda and wished him God’s blessings on his flight.
The pope responded: “Thank you.”
Pope Francis is also due to visit the United States this week.
