The kings and queens who completed historic firsts and lasts for Pope Francis

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis passed away on 21 April 2025 at the age of 88. The South American Pontiff was considered a modernising figure by many. As Pope, Francis met many monarchs, both Catholic and non-Catholic. 

His last meeting with royalty came just days before his death. Pope Francis held a private audience with King Charles and Queen Camilla on April 9 2025 when they were in Italy earlier in April for a State Visit.

Charles had met the Pope several times before and was present in Rome for the canonisation by Francis of St. John Henry Newman.

The late Queen Elizabeth II met Pope Francis in 2014 at the Vatican with this historic first encounter between them coming just months after the papal election which saw Francis take over following the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI.

In late September 2024, the Pope visited Belgium in what would prove to be his final overseas tour. He met King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians. The visit came after Philippe personally visited Rome in 2023 to ask Francis to visit for the 600th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic University of Leuven. 

In September 2024, Pope Francis also visited Luxembourg. Grand Duke Henri and Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, as well as their extended family, met with the Pope. 

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco had an official audience with His Holiness in July 2022 where they exchanged gifts. 

In 2014, shortly after taking the throne following his father’s abdication, King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain visited Pope Francis at the Vatican. 

The Pope hosted King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands for an official audience in 2017.  In November 2018, the future-King Frederik and Queen Mary of Denmark were also welcomed to the Vatican for an official audience. 

On 31 October, 2016, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden welcomed Pope Francis when he was visiting for the Catholic-Lutheran Commemoration in Lund. 

It is expected that royalty from around the world will attend the funeral of Pope Francis.