Pope Francis sends his condolences to King Charles III and the people of the United Kingdom for the death of Queen Elizabeth II, and praises her “life of unstinting service to the good of the Nation and the Commonwealth”.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland died on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle, her residence in Scotland.
Her family had gathered with the late Queen as concerns grew about her health earlier in the day.
Queen Elizabeth II reigned for over 70 years, celebrating her Platinum Jubilee on 2 June 2022.
The late Queen’s eldest son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, now becomes King and head of state for 14 Commonwealth realms.
Shortly after her death, Pope Francis sent a telegramme to offer his condolences to King Charles III for the death of his mother, the UK’s longest-serving monarch. END