Spain’s New King Visits The Vatican

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia yesterday undertook their first introductory visit, while on a visit to the Vatican.

After arriving in Rome around 11am, the couple travelled to the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace, where they were greeted by Georg Gaenswein, the prefect of the papal household. Then, Pope Francis received them in a private audience.

During the audience, which lasted around 45 minutes, gifts were exchanged between the two parties: King Felipe presented the Pope with a copy of Oráculo Manual y Arte de Prudencia by Jesuit Baltasar Gracián; while the Pope presented King Felipe with a medallion showing the original project design for St Peter’s Square and a copy of his  Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium. Rosaries were also presented to all members of the King and Queen’s entourage.

In the afternoon, the couple met with the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Queen Letizia wore a white skirt suit, highlighting her new role as Queen. Only Queens of Catholic monarchies are allowed to wear white in the Vatican, in a custom known as privilège du blanc.

Further introductory visits of the King and Queen will be taking place in the coming weeks: Felipe and Letizia will visit Portugal on July 7 and Morocco on July 14.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Felipe VI of Spain, Pope Francis, Queen Letizia of Spain, Spanish Proclamation 2014, Vatican City.