Pope Leo XIV has welcomed the arrival of spring by hosting a private meeting with the King and Queen of Spain, Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.
He received them in the library of the Apostolic Palace. The meeting further strengthening the diplomatic relations between the two states. In just over two months, Pope Leo XIV will travel to Spain, accepting the invitation the monarchs extended to him on one of the first days of his pontificate.
As tradition dictates, the Queen consort made use of the so-called “privilege of white,” granted only to Catholic monarchs. During the exchange of gifts, Pope Leo XIV received a replica of the 16th-century Book of Hours of Philip II of Spain, as well as a Merino wool lap blanket.
They also had the opportunity to meet with the Vatican’s second-in-command, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, with whom they discussed several international situations and current issues regarding the role of the Church in Spain.
However, the royal agenda did not just include the meeting with the pontiff. The relationship between Basilica of Saint Mary Major and the Spanish monarchy is very close and dates back to the 17th century.
There, the King was named protocanon in a ceremony presided over by the archpriest of the basilica, who explained the importance of the Spanish monarchy’s presence in this Marian temple.
Once the ceremony had concluded, the King and Queen made their way to the Pauline Chapel, where the Byzantine icon of the Salus Populi Romani, protector of the Roman people, is kept. It is an image that Pope Francis often entrusted himself to before and after each apostolic journey.
It was at the tomb of Pope Francis that they made their final stop – to pray and pay their respects. This marked the last stage of the Spanish monarchs’ visit to the only papal basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
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