The Pope undertook the visit to “encourage the Christian testimony” of San Marino’s people and contribute to “the construction of the common good.”
Pope Leo XIV on Aug. 22 arrived in San Marino, launching a pastoral visit on the occasion of the country’s 100th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Holy See.
The Holy Father was also scheduled to visit the Italian city of Rimini, where the Meeting for Friendship Between Peoples takes place.
The Pope left Rome by helicopter around 8 a.m. and arrived 45 minutes later at the Torraccia airfield in San Marino. There he was received by the Captains Regent Alice Mina and Vladimiro Selva who were accompanied by various local officials.
Also present in the welcome delegation was the apostolic nuncio in Italy and the Republic of San Marino, Monsignor Edgar Peña Parra, as well as Monsignor Domenico Beneventi, the bishop of San Marino-Montefeltro.
In a telegram addressed to Italian President Sergio Mattarella — sent by custom as the Pope was leaving Italian territory — Leo expressed his greetings, accompanied “with fervent wishes for the spiritual, civil and social progress of my beloved Italy.”
