Pope Francis, leader of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, died on Monday, April 21. He was 88 years old and had a serious stroke shortly before passing. He passed away only 12 days after having the honor of a special private audience with then-King Charles III and Queen Camilla. This meeting was during their excellencies’ state visit to Italy. In light of this event, King Charles will represent the British monarchy at the funeral service in Vatican City on Saturday.
King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia conveyed their condolences regarding the Pope’s death. In response, they said they were “perhaps the most deeply saddened”. They all now treasure those memories of their various personal encounters with Pope Francis during the past years. These experiences make clear just how important their relationship with him really is. The late pontiff’s deep compassion and commitment to healing the divide within the Church were widely lauded during his papacy.
King Charles at the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005, then Prince of Wales. Now, he will wear this black tie to demonstrate respect when meeting with New Zealand’s Prime Minister at Windsor Castle shortly before the funeral.
The funeral service is likely to capture the world’s attention, with many of the world’s leaders marshalling their plans to offer their final respects. Despite that, it’s been recently announced that the Princess of Wales will not be accompanying her husband to this very solemn and historic occasion.
In a statement addressing Pope Francis’s legacy, King Charles remarked, “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.”
This moment marks another chapter in the ongoing relationship between the British monarchy and the Catholic Church, reflecting shared values and mutual respect that have developed over years. The presence of the King at the funeral serves to underscore the significance of Pope Francis’s global leadership. His impact reaches even further into faith communities.
