Royal arrivals in Rome

With just hours until the canonisation Mass for Pope John Paul II and Pope John XXIII, which takes place on April 27th, tens of thousands of people are arriving in Rome.  And among them are kings anqqueens.   On April 26th, King Albert II of the Belgians and Queen Paola arrived in the Eternal City and went on to visit the Vatican City where they had an audience with Pope Francis I.

King Albert and Queen Paola of the Belgians with Pope Francis I at the Vatican on April 26th 2014

On April 26th 2014, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sofia arrived in Rome - the city where the king was born in 1938.  The royal couple will have their own audience with Pope Francis I on April 28th 2014 but on the day of their arrival, King Juan Carlos held a meeting with the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano.

King Juan Carlos of Spain with President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy during their audience on April 26th 2014

The kings and queens will attend the canonisation Mass on April 27th 2014 along with around 800,000 others who are expected to converge on the Vatican on the morning of April 27th.