As he flew over Israel en route from Rome to Baghdad, Pope Francis sent message to President Rivlin and the Israeli people

As he flew over Israel en route from Rome to Baghdad, Iraq, Pope Francis sent a message to Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin and the Israeli people.

Air traffic control in the north of Israel relayed to the president the recorded message from the Alitalia pilot.  Holiness Pope Francis I yesterday on his historic flight to Iraq. The flight was permitted to cross Israeli airspace.

“To His Excellency Reuven Rivlin, president of the State of Israel. Entering Israeli airspace on my Apostolic journey to Iraq, I send warm greetings to you and the people of the nation,” Pope Francis said.  “Praying that almighty God will bless you all with His gift of harmony and peace.”

Air traffic control of the Israel Airports Authority in the north of the country thanked the pilot and promised to convey the message to the president, who was deeply moved by the kind words from the Pope, with whom he is in close and warm contact.

During this first-ever papal visit to Iraq, Pope Francis met with representatives of the three Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity and Islam—in Ur of the Chaldeans on Saturday. He also traveled to Najaf, where he held a historic meeting with Great Ayatollah Ali Sistani, Iraq’s highest religious authority and a prominent Shi’ite leader.