King congratulates Pope Leo in private message
The King has sent a private message to Pope Leo XIV, congratulating him on his election, Buckingham Palace has said.
His Majesty sent 'most sincere good wishes for his pontificate' on behalf of both himself and the Queen.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly known as Robert Prevost, was elected on Thursday as the 267th pontiff and Bishop of Rome.
The King is deeply religious and takes his titles of Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England extremely seriously.
He also holds a deep interest in other faiths and has made interfaith dialogue – one of the cornerstones of his work – using speeches to plea for coexistence and understanding.
'Special moment'
The King and Queen were invited, at relatively short notice, for a private audience with the late Pope Francis last month, shortly before his death.
The 20-minute visit, which took place during the couple's state visit to Italy, was described by Buckingham Palace as a 'special moment' – 'Che occasione speciale!'
It was later hailed as one of the couple's 'personal highlights' of their four-day state visit.
They were particularly touched by the late Pope's warm words of congratulations on their 20th wedding anniversary.
Following Pope Francis's death on Easter Monday, the King described how both he and his wife were 'greatly moved' to have been able to visit the Pontiff in his final weeks, a private moment that will now take on particular resonance.
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