King Charles and Queen Camilla, along with their entourage, will greet the Patron in Vatican City. This year, they are celebrating the Jubilee Year, a momentous occasion for both the British monarchy and the Catholic Church. This will be the first time he makes an official visit as popes on April 21, 2023. We remembered him for his lifelong service, compassion, and spiritual leadership.
As King Charles and Queen Camilla embark on their next visit, they’ll do well to recognize the legacy of Pope Francis. The time to congratulate Pope Leo on his forthcoming election. The couple previously expressed their sorrow at the passing of Pope Francis, with King Charles stating, “My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis.”
The theme for the Holy Year, “Pilgrims of Hope,” rejoices in the ecumenical witness and charity that is evident between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. That makes this year’s celebrations particularly special. They follow in the wake of an extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, declared by Pope Francis, and observed from 2015 to 2016 rather than the regular 25-year cycle.
After the death of Pope Francis earlier this year, Prince Edward served as the King’s representative when he attended the election of Pope Leo. King Charles has praised Pope Leo’s commitment to spiritual leadership, stating, “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.”
The royal couple’s deepening relationship with Pope Francis was highlighted by a private meeting in Rome earlier this month. They remembered how much they loved their previous meetings with him. King Charles remarked, “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 should ensure that Pope Francis leaves behind systemic changes he created within the Church to create an enduring legacy. Most significantly on his trip to eastern Africa, he opened the first holy door in Bangui, Central African Republic. To many, this act represented hope and unity between minority communities.
King Charles and Queen Camilla prepare for their historic audience with Pope Leo. Like their predecessors, their aim has been to deepen the ties between our two nations and with the Catholic Church. Their visit underlines this shared commitment to spreading peace and understanding among faiths.
