The Supreme Pontiff highlighted in a telegram the duke’s devotion to his marriage and the “record of public service.” The representative of the Catholic Church met with the British monarch and his consort in 2014, in a half-hour meeting.
Condolences to the royal family after the death of Prince Philip of Edinburgh came from many public figures and nations. Also, the highest representative of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, spoke before the death of the husband of Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most recognized monarchs in the world.
The Supreme Pontiff had the opportunity to meet with the Duke of Edinburgh and the Queen of the United Kingdom in April 2014, when they first met at the Vatican. There, the couple made the pope (Jorge Bergoglio) wait 15 minutes, something unusual in the protocol of this methodical family, however the portal Abc.es reminded that the slight delay was due to a lunch with the President of the Italian Republic.
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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. Therefore, Pope Francis sent his condolences, by 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 by the death of her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, Her Holiness Pope Francis offers her heartfelt condolences to Her Majesty and members of the royal family,” the letter sent by Vatican Secretary Cardinal Pietro Parolin said.
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The pontiff also highlighted the “prince’s devotion to his marriage” to the sovereign and family, “the record of public service” and his commitment to “education and the progress of future generations.” And he blessed all those who suffered this loss.
It is now known that the United Kingdom has decreed eight days of mourning for the death of Philip Mountbatten and that the funeral will take place strictly privately, will not be awakened as it had wished and the details of the funeral ceremony are still unknown.
The Duke of Edinburgh has always been with the monarch despite rumors of infidelity and endless problems. Photo: AFP