Queen visits Pope for a quick chat and exchange of gifts

It was a sunny warm Rome day when two of the world's most famous elder citizens, 87-year-old Queen Elizabeth and 77-year-old Pope Francis, came together for a cosy little chat this afternoon. Meeting a Pope for the seventh time since she was received by Pope Pius XII back in 1951, the British monarch looked very comfortable in the imposing surrounds of the Vatican, if not quite as nimble as back in 1951.

In theory, the Queen came to Rome at the invitation of Italian state President Giorgio Napolitano with whom she lunched today before she travelled across to the Vatican. In practise, however, just as soon as the Napolitano visit had been confirmed, Her Majesty had expressed an interest in meeting the “new” Pope.

So it was that she turned up at the Paul VIth Audience Hall, right beside Francis’ living quarters in the Domus Santa Marta residence, dressed in an elegant lilac coloured dress and matching coat which emphasised the relatively informal nature of the meeting. In previous visits to the Vatican, the Queen has worn the black dress and black mantilla outfit that is generally perceived to be “de rigeur” for visiting female heads of state or government.

Further emphasis on the less formal nature of her audience with the Pope was the fact that it took place in a non-descript study in the Paul VIth complex rather than in the much more imposing Apostolic Palace, the normal venue for high level audiences and the place where Francis received US President Barak Obama last week. A guard of honour, formed by 12 Swiss Guards, attempted to lend some sort of formality to the occasion but essentially it was an “In And Out” visit with the Queen and husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh stopping for a 20 minute chat and exchange of gifts with Francis.

As soon as she arrived, the Queen apologised for being late, telling Francis:

“We’re sorry to keep you waiting but we were having a very pleasant lunch with the President...”

Keeping the food theme running, the Queen presented the Pope with a hamper full of goodies that ranged from “Irish” Breakfast tea (whatever that is) to Scotch whisky and onto honey produced by the gardens of Buckingham Palace. For his part, Francis replied with the facsimile of a Vatican document related to Edward the Confessor as well as a present for little Prince George of Cambridge.

As toys for not quite one year old babies go, the latter present was perhaps not what Dr. Spock or other more modern babycare gurus would have ordered. Basically it was heavy looking orb of lapislazzulo stone, mounted with a St. Edward cross. Now, if the youngest member of the royal family was intending to inflict serious bodily harm on his nanny, it might come in useful. Otherwise, this is a gift which may require the passage of time before the young royal learns to love and respect it. However, Vatican functionaries do not generally have a permanent account at Mothercare nor is looking after baby usually their forte, so they can be forgiven.

Moving steadily and keeping a beady eye out for the ragged ranks of the British popular press, Queen Elizabeth made her way back to her car, having been accompanied to the door by Pope Francis. She might not be as young as she was once was but like her host today, she still looks pretty sharp and on the ball.