Additional Coverage:
- Prince William expected at Pope Francis’ funeral as family honors relationship with religious leader: expert (foxnews.com)
Royal Family Mourns the Passing of Pope Francis
The world mourns the loss of Pope Francis, who passed away on Monday at the age of 88. His passing has been met with profound sadness by figures across the globe, including the British Royal Family, with whom the Pope maintained a close relationship for over a decade.
Prince William will represent the Royal Family at the funeral services in Rome. As a mark of respect, flags at Royal residences are flying at half-mast, and somber music is being played during the Changing of the Guard ceremonies. This echoes a similar display of respect shown when then-Prince Charles attended Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005.
King Charles III expressed his “profound sympathy” to the Catholic Church and those mourning the loss. In a statement, His Majesty and Queen Camilla shared their sadness and reflected on the Pope’s Easter message, a testament to his lifelong devotion and ministry.
The King praised Pope Francis’s compassion, his dedication to unity within the Church, and his tireless work for people of all faiths and goodwill. He highlighted the Pope’s belief in environmental stewardship as an expression of faith, a message that resonated globally. King Charles and Queen Camilla fondly recalled their meetings with Pope Francis over the years, including a recent visit earlier this month.
Vatican camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell announced the Pope’s death, highlighting his life of service and his commitment to living the Gospel values, particularly in his work with the poor and marginalized.
The relationship between Pope Francis and the Royal Family dates back to 2014 when Queen Elizabeth II visited the Vatican. Following Prince Philip’s death in 2021, Pope Francis praised the late royal for his commitment to family, public service, and education.
He offered condolences to Queen Elizabeth II on the loss of her husband. In 2022, the Pope congratulated Queen Elizabeth II on her Platinum Jubilee, offering blessings of unity, prosperity, and peace.
Earlier this month, King Charles and Queen Camilla had a private meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican. The Vatican released a statement noting the Pope’s well wishes to the royal couple on their wedding anniversary. The Royal Family’s official social media expressed their gratitude for the Pope’s kind words and the honor of meeting him.
This visit symbolized the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. King Charles has prioritized interfaith relations since ascending the throne.