This will be the first meeting between Francis and the British monarch: The Duke of Gloucester represented the UK at the mass for the inauguration of Pope Francis’ pontificate
Tomorrow’s meeting between Pope Francis and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II will be very informal, starting from the venue chosen: the study next to the Paul VI Hall, in the more sober building designed by Pierluigi Nervi, instead of in the more formal Papal Apartment in the second Loggia of the Apostolic Palace, where audiences are usually held. The meeting is expected to take place at around 3 pm.
This will be the first meeting between Francis and the British monarch: The Duke of Gloucester represented the UK at the mass for the inauguration of Pope Francis’ pontificate on 19 March 2013.
Italy’s President Giorgio Napolitano sent the invitation last year but the Queen and her spouse, the Duke of Edinburgh (who will be accompanying her on tomorrow’s visit), were not able to accept due to health reasons. The invitation was then renewed. In the meantime, a new Pope was elected so Queen Elizabeth decided to seize the opportunity of her visit to Italy to meet with the Pope too.
She did the same when she visited Rome on 17 October 2000 and was received by John Paul II as well. Benedict XVI, however, she met in Britain, in September 2010, on the occasion of the former Pope’s Apostolic Visit. Elizabeth II was also received by John XXIII in 1961.
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