King Charles reacts to the death of Pope Francis

King Charles – who has just met Pope Francis in private less than two weeks ago alongside the wife Queen Camilla – paid tribute to the late Pontiff, who died on April 21 at 88.

“My wife and I were very deeply saddened to learn the death of Pope Francis,” wrote Charles. “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat attenuated, however, that His Holiness was able to share an Easter greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and his ministry.”

He added: “His holiness will remain in the memories for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and for those of the good will who work for the benefit of others. His conviction that care for creation is an existential expression of faith in God resonated with so many people around the world.

After a public meeting with the Pope has been postponed due to the poor health of the Pope lately, Charles and Camilla have met him in private at the Pope’s residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican on April 9, which was also their 20th wedding anniversary.

“The Queen and I remember with a particular affection of our meetings with her holiness over the years, and we have been highly moved for being able to visit her earlier in the month,” continued the king in his long homage. “We send our most sincere condolences and our deepest sympathy to the church that he served with such a resolution and to the countless people of the world who, inspired by his life, cry the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”

Before their meeting barely 12 days ago, the king had already met Pope Francis in 2019 and, before that, met him Camilla in 2017, when Charles and Camilla visited the Vatican. During this visit, Charles presented him gifts from his country house, Highgrove, according to City and country.

The pope said to the future king – who was then the prince of Wales – during this meeting: “Wherever you go, can you be a man of peace”, to which Charles replied, poignantly: “I will do my best.”

The visit of Charles and Camilla with the Pope earlier this month lasted about 20 minutes, during which he exchanged wedding anniversary gifts with the king and the queen. Subsequently, the couple paid tribute to their social media accounts, writing that the visit was a “special moment” and that they “were deeply affected by the pope’s kind remarks on their 20th wedding anniversary and honored to be able to share their best wishes in person.”

A senior palace official said about the four -day state visit to the king and the queen in Italy, by Good morning!“I think outside the official program, the most important and most moving thing was this visit to the Pope. We did not know until the last minute that it would be possible. But when the pope asked if he could see the king and the queen, their majesties were clearly very happy. After all, they have known him for many years and, with the rest of the world, were asked for his recovery. ”

“The Pope personally wanted them to wish them a happy birthday, especially because it had not been possible to visit the State on this occasion,” continued the manager. “Their majesties both left, feeling that it was a very important and special moment.”