Pope Francis on Monday offered "a special prayer" to Italy "for its well-being, serenity and prosperity" in a message to the country's president upon his return from a visit to Colombia.
"Mr president, I offer my most cordial greetings and assure you of a special prayer for the well-being, serenity and prosperity of the Italian people to whom I send my affectionate blessing," read the customary telegram to head of state Sergio Mattarella.
The five-day visit to Colombia by Francis was centred on consolidating peace and reconciliation in the overwhelmingly Catholic country after more than five decades of bloody conflict between government forces and left-wing rebels.
In the telegram to Mattarella, sent just before he landed in Rome, Francis said he admired Colombians' "faith and their desire for spiritual and social development."
As is also customary after trips abroad, Francis prayed on Monday at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore - Rome's largest church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
The pontiff prayed for about half an hour in front of the basilica's 'Salus Populi Romani' icon dedicated to the health of Romans and also placed flowers in front of the icon.
