Among the last high-profile meetings held by Pope Francis was with King Charles and Queen Camilla, which took place in the Vatican two weeks ago, during their visit to Italy.
It was a private meeting, as their official state visit to the Vatican had been cancelled because of the Pope’s health problems. But Buckingham Palace said it was one of the highlights of the royal couple’s visit to Italy, describing it as a “very significant and special moment”.
There had been speculation during the trip whether a brief meeting would still take place - and it was said to have been finally arranged at the last minute, with the King and Queen going to the Casa Santa Maria where the Pope had been convalescing.
The King and Queen had been celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary that day and Pope Francis gave them his best wishes for their anniversary.
The King and Queen had been praying for the Pope’s recovery - and Pope Francis in turn wished King Charles well with his own health problems, with the King being treated for cancer.
The 20-minute meeting was said by Palace officials to have been a very moving occasion with a great conversation.
But there was no video recording of the event, only stills taken by a Vatican photographer.
King Charles has been a great advocate of building links between different faiths and the planned state visit to the Vatican would have seen symbolic moments such as an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel.
