King Charles sends message on anniversary of Pope’s election

The King said he and Queen Camilla extended “heartfelt congratulations and warmest good wishes” to the Pontiff and the Holy See on the occasion, TVC News reported.

Recalling the visit that he and the Queen made to Rome in October, King Charles said, “I am deeply encouraged by the strength of our bilateral ties and remain committed to fostering even closer cooperation in the years to come”.

“As we face the shared challenges of our time, particularly those concerning the climate and the preservation of our natural world, I find hope in our ongoing advocacy for addressing climate change as both a moral and spiritual issue,” the King said.

He added, “May the gift of hope, the wisdom of religion and the knowledge of science also continue to allow humanity to take enlightened and transformative action in the pursuit of peace.”

“My wife and I assure Your Holiness of our prayers for peace, prosperity and wellbeing in the year ahead”.

The anniversary on May 8 came the day after Pope Leo met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a committed Catholic, at the Vatican and gave him a pen made of olive wood, which he described as the “plant of peace”. In the year of his pontificate, Pope Leo has addressed the subject of peace, in writings and addresses, more than 400 times.

Pope Leo marked the first anniversary of his election on a visit to Pompeii and Naples in southern Italy. Preaching at a Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii on Friday, the Pope recalled that the conclave elected him on May 8, the Feast of Our Lady of Pompeii.

“So I had to come here, to place my service under the protection of the Blessed Virgin,” he said.

Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni paid tribute to the Pope on the anniversary of his election, the Daily Telegraph reported. She applauded his “tireless message of faith, hope, peace, dialogue among peoples and closeness to the weakest”.

“In a complex time marked by great uncertainty, his voice represents a global point of reference, not only for Christians,” she said.

During the visit to Naples and Pompeii, Pope Leo asked God to enlighten world leaders and end the “fratricidal hatred” fuelling global conflict.

FULL STORY

On first anniversary of election, Pope Leo XIV lauded as ‘clear and consistent’ voice for peace (By Ruth Gledhill/The Tablet)

Leo puts pontificate under Marian protection on first anniversary (The Tablet)

King Charles Congratulates Pope Leo XIV On First Anniversary Of Election (TVC)

Pope Leo asks God to ‘enlighten’ world leaders in veiled message to Trump (Daily Telegraph/NZ Herald)