April in Rome

She has seen several popes inaugurated and been there for several of their funerals.  At the weekend, she was there to see two of them become saints.  And now Queen Sofia of Spain has met Pope Francis I in a private audience, along with her husband King Juan Carlos.  And as she stepped into the Vatican for her meeting with the pope, she became the third queen to attend an audience with Francis I in less than four weeks.

Queen Sofia and King Juan Carlos at their audience with Francis I on April 28 2014

Like the second queen to visit Francis in April 2014, Sofia was in Rome for the canonisation of John Paul II and John XXIII.  Paola of the Belgians met Francis I the day before the service which elevated them to sainthood and again at the Mass.  Sofia first met the pope at the ceremony before her private audience today.  And both consorts' visits followed an historic visit by the Queen on April 3rd when, as a private individual, she spent around an hour with the pope during her one day trip to Rome.

The Queen and the Pope at their audience on April 3rd 2014

Sofia's visit is the last royal interview at the Vatican in April 2014.  All the meetings have had their own symbolism and sense of history.  And all have made sure that this month will be remembered as the month of three queens at the Vatican.