When Queen Elizabeth met with Pope Francis for the first time at the Vatican in 2014, Her Majesty was presented with a gift for her then 8-month-old great-grandson, Prince George. The 266th pontiff told the Queen that the lapis lazuli orb featuring the cross of St. Edward the Confessor on top was for "el ninetto." "That is very nice. He will be thrilled by that when he's a little older," Queen Elizabeth said, per the National Catholic Register.
Engraved on the base of the gift for the future King were the words: “Pope Francis to His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge."
The private audience with Pope Francis on April 3, 2014 was the late Queen's seventh meeting with a pope. Pope Francis passed away this past Monday on April 21.
Prince George's father, the Prince of Wales, attended the pope's funeral on Saturday, April 26, on behalf of King Charles. Prince William was spotted sitting in the third row behind Jordan's Queen Rania at the funeral held in St. Peter’s Square.
Less than two weeks before the pope's death, the Prince of Wales' father and stepmother, Queen Camilla, privately met with His Holiness on their 20th wedding anniversary, while in Italy for a state visit.
In a message following the pope's passing, King Charles said: "My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. 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."
"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," Charles continued. "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."
The King also shared that he and Camilla were "greatly moved to have been able" to recently see the late pope. His Majesty said, "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. 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."