Pope Leo XIV received King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium in audience at the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.
During their meeting, they shared a conversation and exchanged gifts, which of course included a box of Belgian chocolates.
The queen wore a white dress, in keeping with the “privilege of the white.” This is an honor reserved only for queens and consorts from royal houses of Catholic origin.
This privilege is shared by only seven women, among them the Queen of Spain, the Princess of Monaco, and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg.
It was the second official meeting between the Pontiff and the Belgian monarchs. The first took place after the inaugural Mass of the pontificate in May 2025.
BAM
Trans. CRT
