Flight attendant reveals 45 years of behind-the-scenes with popes on official flights
Book recounts experiences of veteran ITA Airways flight attendant who accompanied popes from John Paul II to Leo XIV during 45 years on official Vatican flights.
TL;DR
- A new book, 'Stories in Flight: 80 Years of Air Transport in Italy,' features the stories of veteran flight attendant Rino Anastasio.
- Anastasio served as a flight coordinator for papal journeys for over 45 years, flying with popes from John Paul II to Leo XIV.
- The Vatican charters commercial flights, primarily using ITA Airways for papal travel from Rome.
- The book includes anecdotes such as security escort planes with John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI's humorous inquiry about fuel.
- Anastasio also shares a surprise birthday celebration organized by Pope Francis during a flight.
- Pope Paul VI was the first pope to travel by plane in 1964.
- Papal travel has been a significant aspect of pontificates, with popes undertaking numerous international apostolic journeys.