Breaking News: King Charles Reacts to Pope Francis’s Death, Just 12 Days After Last Meeting….Read More 👇

The King and Queen visited with the Pope for about 20 minutes on April 9, which also happened to be their 20th wedding anniversary.

King Charles—who just met privately with Pope Francis less than two weeks ago alongside wife Queen Camilla—has paid tribute to the late pontiff, who died on April 21 at 88 years old.

My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis,” Charles wrote. “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.”

He added, “His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church, and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others. His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world. Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.”

After a public meeting with the Pope was postponed due to the Pope’s ill health as of late, Charles and Camilla met privately with him at the Pope’s residence, Casa Santa Marta, in the Vatican on April 9, which happened to also be their 20th wedding anniversary.

The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years, and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month,” the King continued in his lengthy tribute. “We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ.”

Prior to their meeting just 12 days ago, the King had previously met with Pope Francis in 2019 and, prior to that, met him with Camilla in 2017, when Charles and Camilla visited the Vatican. During that visit, Charles presented him with gifts from his country home, Highgrove, according to Town & Country.

The Pope said to the future king—who was then the Prince of Wales—during that meeting, “Wherever you go, may you be a man of peace,” to which Charles replied, poignantly, “I’ll do my best.”

Charles and Camilla’s visit with the Pope earlier this month lasted about 20 minutes, during which time he exchanged wedding anniversary presents with the King and Queen.

Afterward, the couple paid tribute to him on their social media accounts, writing that the visit was a “special moment” and that they “were deeply touched by the Pope’s kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honored to be able to share their best wishes to him in person.”