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Royal Visit to the Holy See

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visit the Holy See .

This was published under the 2016 to 2019 May Conservative government

Their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited the Holy See on 4 April. It was His Royal Highness’ fourth visit to the Holy See.

Their Royal Highnesses met Pope Francis at the Paul VI Hall. It was the first time that they had met. The discussion covered a number of topics of mutual interest. Pope Francis presented Their Royal Highnesses with a bronze representation of an olive branch. Their Royal Highnesses presented the Pope with a hamper of food from the Royal Estate at Highgrove, to be shared among the poor and homeless.

Following the Audience, His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Foreign Office Minister of State for Europe and Africa, Sir Alan Duncan MP, met the Cardinal Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

The environment was a theme of the visit, and His Royal Highness joined a round-table discussion with senior Holy See officials on the subject.

Their Royal Highnesses visited the Vatican Secret Archives and the Vatican Library, and were able to see a few of the valuable historic documents held in both collections. His Royal Highness also met many of the British community working at the Holy See at a small reception at the Venerable English College.

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Published 4 April 2017