World

Pope Francis greets leaders of eight countries en route to Asia

Papal messages delivered ahead of Sri Lanka visit

Pope Francis greets journalists on the papal plane to Sri Lanka (Photo by Joe Torres)

By Joe Torres, on board the papal plane to Sri Lanka

Published: January 13, 2015 08:31 AM GMT

Updated: April 22, 2015 01:35 AM GMT

Pope Francis has sent greetings to the leaders of eight countries over which the papal plane flew before arriving in Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

"I send cordial greetings to your excellency as I fly over Iran," the pope said in a telegram sent to Ayatollah Ali Hoseine-Khamenei, supreme leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

"I assure you of my prayers for the nation and its people, invoking upon you the Almighty's blessings of peace and prosperity," the telegram read.

To President Bujar Nishani of Albania and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Pope Francis recalled "warm memories" of his recent visit to both countries. "I renew the assurance of my prayers for the nation and its people," he said in both messages.

The leader of the Catholic Church, who is visiting Asia for the second time in less than six months, also sent his greetings and assurance of prayers to the leaders and people of Italy, Greece, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and India.

In August, Pope Francis sent a telegram to China on his way for a pastoral visit to South Korea.

"I prayed a lot for that beautiful and noble Chinese people," he later told the media.

"We respect the Chinese people. It’s just that the Church asks for freedom for its role and for its work," he said, adding that the Holy See is "always open to being in contact … because it has a real esteem for the Chinese people".

Earlier reports said the pontiff is expected to send another message to China when the papal plane flies over Chinese air space on his return to Rome from the Philippines next week.