QUEEN ELIZABETH II, (1926-2022)- Rest in Peace

 QUEEN ELIZABETH II, (1926-2022)-  Rest in Peace

With the sad news today of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, (1926-2022), Queen of Britain and Australia, we recall that in her extraordinary seventy year reign, She lived through eight pontificates and met five popes and enjoyed good rapport with the Catholic Church.  Queen Elizabeth II last met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in April 2014. The meeting marked the 100th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. Queen Elizabeth was a devout, church-going Christian and often described as the most recognisable person alive over her long reign.

Queen Elizabeth II met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in April 2014, she gave the pope a food hamper filled with local delicacies and a bottle of Balmoral whiskey. The meeting marked the 100th anniversary of re-establishing diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Holy See.  

 

Earlier, In 2012, the then Pope Benedict, having previously met the Queen in an apostolic visit to Britain,  sent a message on the occasion of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, saying, “Your personal commitment to cooperation and mutual respect between the followers of different religious traditions has contributed in no small measure to improving ecumenical and interreligious relations throughout your realms.” 

 

Queen Elizabeth also met Pope Saint John XXIII (pictured - Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are shown with Pope John XXIII after the 79-year-old pontiff received her in audience in Vatican City, May 5, 1961.

 

Queen Elizabeth and Pope Saint John Paul II met several times over the length of the Pope’s long reign. 

Pope Francis sent a telegram to offer his condolences to King Charles for the death of his mother, the UK’s longest-serving monarch.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I offer heartfelt condolences to Your Majesty, the Members of the Royal Family, the People of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.”

The Pope said he joins everyone who mourns her loss “in praying for the late Queen’s eternal rest, and in paying tribute to her life of unstinting service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth, her example of devotion to duty, her steadfast witness of faith in Jesus Christ and her firm hope in his promises.”

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster paid tribute to her Christian faith and life of unstinting service, The Tablet reports.

“Even in my sorrow, shared with so many around the world, I am filled with an immense sense of gratitude for the gift to the world that has been the life of Queen Elizabeth II,” Cardinal Nichols said.

“At this time, we pray for the repose of the soul of Her Majesty. We do so with confidence, because the Christian faith marked every day of her life and activity.”

May she rest in peace, and may King Charles and all his family be given consolation at this time of sorrow.  

 

(Britain's Queen Elizabeth II speaks with Pope Francis during their first meeting on April 3, 2014, at the Vatican. Photo credit should read STEFANO RELLANDINI/AFP via Getty Images).