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What Pope Francis Did During His Flight From Cuba to the US

He made use of the airtime.

ByABC News
September 22, 2015, 4:15 PM

— -- It was a bit of a busy flight for Pope Francis.

In addition to sending a tweet thanking the Cuban people, he sent two telegrams per the Vatican tradition and held a mini press conference.

Whenever the pope flies over a country’s airspace, he sends out an official telegram greeting to that nation’s leader.

Vatican Radio reproduces the Pope’s telegrams as he travels and they released the messages that he sent to Raul Castro, expressing “my deep gratitude” and thanking “all the Cuban people for your warm welcome to the country.

The second telegram went to the Governor General of the Bahamas, noting that he was passing over the country and wishing them blessings.

The pope also answered seven questions from reporters while on the plane headed to D.C. this afternoon.

His answers came in a mix of English and Spanish, and touched on the controversial embargo against Cuban goods. He said that he is not likely to mention the embargo specifically.

He also talked about his meeting with Fidel Castro, saying that they spoke about history and Jesuits that they knew.

Capitalism, dissidents, and pardons were also addressed.

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