The Supreme Pontiff has highlighted in a telegram the devotion of the duke to his marriage and his “public service record.” The representative of the Catholic Church met the British monarch and his consort in 2014, in a half-hour meeting.
Expressions of condolence to the royal family following the death of Prince Philip of Edinburgh have come from many public figures and nations. Also the highest representative of the Catholic Church, the Pope Francis, Was pronounced before the death of the husband of queen Isabel II, one of the most recognized monarchs at world-wide level.
The Supreme Pontiff had the opportunity to meet the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen of the United Kingdom in April 2014, when they first met at the Vatican. Here, the couple made Pope (Jorge Bergoglio) wait 15 minutes, something unusual in the protocol of this methodical family, but the portal Abc.es recalled that the slight delay was due to a lunch with the President of the Republic Italian.
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This meeting lasted half an hour and only 17 minutes of a private conversation, but it was enough to establish a cordial relationship between the representatives of these institutions. For this reason, Pope Francis conveyed his condolences, through a telegram, to the queen and the rest of the royal family after the loss of her husband, father and grandfather.
The day that Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh met the Supreme Pontiff in 2014. In this image, Prince Philip shows some special gifts for Pope Francis. Photo: AFP
“Saddened to learn of the death of her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, His Holiness Pope Francis offers his condolences to Her Majesty and members of the Royal Family,” the letter reads. sent by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
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The pontiff also highlighted the prince’s “devotion to his marriage” to the sovereign and his family, his “public service record” and his commitment to “the education and progress of future generations.” . And he blessed all those who have suffered this loss.
It is currently known that the United Kingdom has decreed eight days of mourning for the death of Philip Mountbatten and that the funeral will be held in a strictly private manner, will not have vigil as he had wished and the details of the funeral ceremony are not yet known.
The Duke of Edinburgh was always on the monarch’s side despite rumors of infidelity and endless trouble. Photo: AFP