The King has paid tribute to Pope Francis, who has passed away at the age of 88.
In a statement, The King said:
‘My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.
His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.
The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month. We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.’
The King and Queen recently met with the Pope during a private Audience at the Vatican. A Buckingham Palace official said at the time that ‘Their Majesties were delighted The Pope was well enough to host them – and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person!’
King Charles and Queen Camilla met the Pope. (Royal Family)
Prior to the recent State Visit, King Charles III and Pope Francis have met on several notable occasions, reflecting a relationship marked by mutual respect and shared concerns.
As Prince of Wales, Charles, accompanied by the then-Duchess of Cornwall, met Pope Francis at the Vatican in April 2017. This visit was part of a broader European tour, during which they discussed topics of mutual interest, including environmental issues and interfaith dialogue.
In October 2019, Prince Charles attended the canonisation ceremony of Cardinal John Henry Newman at the Vatican. During this visit, he had an audience with Pope Francis, underscoring the significance of Cardinal Newman’s sainthood for both the Anglican and Catholic communities.
The King has paid tribute to Pope Francis. (Clarence House)
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to undertake a state visit to Italy and the Holy See in early April 2025. This visit coincides with the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year and Their Majesties’ 20th wedding anniversary. During this trip, they were expected to meet with Pope Francis to celebrate the Jubilee Year, marking their first meeting since Charles’s ascension to the throne in 2022.
