The death of Pope Francis has been mourned around the world. His pontificate was one of humility and a deep and unwavering commitment to put the very poorest in society first. Francis was a very human Pope but also an adept statesman. He discovered very early on in his reign that his role required top level diplomacy as well as spiritual leadership and one of the most famous moments came in 2014 when the Head of the Roman Catholic Church welcomed the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Elizabeth II, to Rome. As the death of Pope Francis is mourned, we look back at a moment of history.
Rome, April 2014
Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Francis I held a private audience at the Vatican. The Queen and the Pope exchanged gifts during their visit with Francis giving a copy of a decree by Edward the Confessor to his royal guest.
The Queen and Pope Francis exchange gifts at their meeting at the Vatican
(photo Gerry O'Connell)
The Pontiff also presented Elizabeth II with a lapis lazuli orb topped with the cross of St Edward the Confessor for Prince George. The Queen gave the Pope a hamper of Royal Estate goods and a signed photo of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh.
An orb of lapis lazuli topped with a silver cross of St Edward the Confessor - the gift of
Pope Francis I to Prince George of Cambridge
The Queen and the Pope spent around twenty minutes together in a private audience before Elizabeth II left for the airport. It is the seventh time the Queen has met a pope although her first audience came in 1951 when she was still a princess. Elizabeth II met Pius XII, John XXIII, John Paul II and Benedict XVI before her audience with Francis. Their meeting, 100 years after Great Britain re-established links with the Holy See, is another chapter in the relationship between the two states.
Pope Francis died on April 21 2025. Queen Elizabeth II died on September 8th 2022.
