Mother Teresa left Calcutta en route for Rome on Thursday, saying she also hoped to visit Poland and the United States, health permitting.
"I may go to Poland and the United States of America if my health permits," the 86-year-old nun said at Calcutta airport as she left for her first foreign tour since recovering from serious illness last year.The Nobel Peace laureate walked steadily into the airport lounge but was later taken to the aircraft in a wheelchair.
"I am feeling better now. God bless you," the nun, known as the Saint of the Gutters for her devotion to the poor and dying, said cheerfully.
She was accompanied by her successor as superior-general of the Missionaries of Charity, Sister Nirmala, four other nuns and her doctor, Patricia Aubanel.
"Mother is very happy, and anxious to go to Rome. She'd like to travel to other places but it is not yet decided. It will be decided on the basis of her health conditions," Aubanel said.