(ANSA) - Rome, July 31 - Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman
sentenced to death in majority-Muslim Sudan for apostasy
before being released in the face of international outrage,
left Rome with her family on Thursday for New York, said
Antonella Napoli, president of Italians for Darfur.
The 27-year-old landed at Rome's Ciampino airport one week
ago, following Italian government negotiations with Khartoum
which allowed the family to leave Sudan, marking the end of a
ordeal that lasted almost a year.
Meriam, her husband, and their two small children were met
on their arrival in Italy by Premier Matteo Renzi and Foreign
Minister Federica Mogherini.
Shortly after landing, Meriam also met with Pope Francis
who thanked her for her "testimony of faith" and "perseverance",
said Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi.
Meriam on flight to NYC with family
Spent one week in Italy before leaving for U.S.