This was the first image of the visit of the King and Queen of England: the Swiss Guard in formation and flags waving as they awaited, according to protocol, the arrival of the heads of state.
The person in charge of welcoming them, before dozens of cameras and journalists gathered at one corner of the courtyard of San Damaso, was Leonardo Sapienza, the Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
The same Swiss Guard accompanied the King and Queen to the library of the Apostolic Palace, where Pope Leo XIV was waiting to receive them.
After 45 minutes of conversation and the traditional photo, it was time for the exchange of gifts.
Among other things, the royal couple presented the Pope with an icon of Saint Edward the Confessor, who was King of England in the 11th century.
The Pope returned the gesture with a large-scale icon of the mosaic of Christ Almighty.
This meeting took place just moments before the historic ecumenical event, in which both leaders prayed together in the Sistine Chapel.
CA
Trans. CRT
