Pope Francis and Queen Elizabeth II met for the first time on Thursday, BBC reported. The historical meeting between the two of the world’s most beloved leaders took place today in Vatican. The Queen had a one-day visit to Rome, which coincided with the anniversary of the Falklands War between Britain and Argentina, 32 years ago.
The Vatican meeting was said to be in front of a private audience at the Pope Paul VI Audience Hall, near Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis currently lives. No further details about the talks were released, but Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said the meeting was “not as formal” as expected.
Earlier that day, the Queen and her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, were seen arriving at the Ciampino airport. The Royal couple had lunch with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinale Palace, and later proceeded to the Vatican to meet the pope.
“We have a new Archbishop of Canterbury who met Pope Francis last year in June and I very much expect him to meet the Pope again in the next few months… she will want I think to understand from Pope Francis how he sees the role of faith in the world…” Nigel Baker, Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See, said on Vatican Radio earlier.
“The Vatican has been clear with us, including in the last week and at a very senior level, that their long-standing position of neutrality on this issue remains in force”. Baker added, referring to the Falklands War that started on April 2, 1982 and lasted for more than two months. Argentine forces surrendered and Britain formally ended their military operations in the Falklands on June 20.
This is the fourth visit of the Queen to the Vatican in her entire reign. The first one was when she met with Pope John XXIII in 1961. The second one was in 1980 when she met with Pope John Paul II, and again in 2000. So far, the 87-year-old monarch has already met five popes.
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