Pope Francis to receive Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, will visit the Vatican and meet Pope Francis on Thursday, April 3. A statement from her Press Secretary states the Queen is coming to Rome in response to a lunch invitation from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, and she is using the visit to Italy as an “opportunity to meet Pope Francis for the first time.” Queen Elizabeth II met with Pope Benedict XVI during his state visit to Great Britain in 2010.

The full statement from Buckingham Palace follows:

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, will visit Rome on Thursday 3rd April. Her Majesty and His Royal Highness are visiting at the invitation of the President of Italy, President Napolitano.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh will visit the Presidential Palace where they will attend a private lunch hosted by The President.

Following the private lunch Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will have an Audience with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican.

Source: Vis/Buckingham Palace