Pope sends condolence message to Queen Elizabeth

Pope Francis receiving Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip Vatican April 2014. Image Vatican News

Source: Vatican News

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has sent the following condolence message on the Pope's behalf to Queen Elizabeth II.

"Saddened to learn of the death of your husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, His Holiness Pope Francis offers heartfelt condolences to Your Majesty and the members of the royal family," Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin wrote in a telegram addressed to Queen Elizabeth. "Recalling Prince Philip's devotion to his marriage and family, his distinguished record of public service and his commitment to the education and advancement of future generations, His Holiness commends him to the merciful love of Christ our redeemer," the Cardinal wrote. "Upon you and upon all who grieve his loss in the sure hope of the resurrection, the Holy Father invokes the Lord's blessings of consolation and peace," he concluded.

Queen Elizabeth has had warm relations with the Popes for some 60 years. She first visited the Vatican as princess during the pontificate of Pope Pius XII, a year before her accession to the throne. Her first visit as queen to the Vatican was on 5 May 1961, when she and Prince Philip were received privately by Pope John XXIII.

Queen Elizabeth made history on 17 October 1980, when she became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican. During her meeting with Pope John Paul II, now a saint, she welcomed the Pope's plans to visit Great Britain. The two met again on May 28, 1982 at Buckingham Palace in England. The visit was the first by a pope on English soil. Queen Elizabeth met the pope for the third time in the Vatican on October 17, 2000.

Pope Benedict XVI visited Great Britain in 16 September 2010, during which he met the Queen in Edinburgh, Scotland. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip met Pope Francis in the Vatican on 3 April 2014, during a state visit to Italy.

Other members of the British royal family have visited the Vatican on several occasions.