Boarding the papal plane is a unique opportunity for journalists to speak with the sovereign pontiff. In total, between 100 and 150 people will accompany François on the flight to Marseille.
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Pope Francis will board an Airbus A320, ITA Airways flight AZ4000, on Friday September 22 at Fiumicino airport, near Rome, heading to Marseille. The Vatican does not in fact have a fleet: the Pope does not have a private aircraft, unlike many heads of state. The sovereign pontiff will therefore travel with the company ITA Airways, the successor to Alitalia, which is also in the process of being bought by Lufthansa.
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At his side, between 100 and 150 people. Advisors, ministers of the pope, his doctor, his nurse, his bodyguard. Part of his security will only take the plane on the way back. On the way out, she left earlier, on a scouting trip, to Marseille.
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For this trip, the first to the Phocaean city for a pope since the 16th century, 67 journalists are accredited. If on the way, “the pope takes a photo, greets each passenger“, it stays “rather a moment of personal exchange“, details Loup Besmond de Senneville, correspondent of the newspaper The cross At the Vatican, the reporters mainly wait for the return trip, a privileged moment to ask the sovereign pontiff a few questions.
“There is this traditional press conference. The journalists are organized by linguistic group”he says. “This is the only moment where we have unfiltered access to the Pope. It’s an important moment!”On arrival at Marignane airport, an 80 meter long red carpet will await the sovereign pontiff.