King and Queen attend the Mass for the inauguration of the Papacy of Leo XIV and express their desire to see him “soon in Spain”

The Diplomat The King and Queen attended the Mass for the inauguration of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV this Sunday, held in St. Peter's Square in Rome, which brought together delegations from more than 150 countries. The Spanish delegation consisted of the First Vice President of the Government and Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero; the Second Vice President of the Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Minister of the Presidency, Justice, and Relations with Parliament, Félix Bolaños; the Spanish Ambassador to the Holy See, Isabel Celaá; and the Leader of the Opposition, Alberto Núñez Feijóo. Once the Mass concluded, King Felipe and Queen Letizia, along with the other heads of delegations, entered St. Peter's Basilica and greeted Pope Leo XIV, to whom they conveyed their congratulations and best wishes for a prosperous pontificate on behalf of the Spanish people, the Government, and the Royal Family. The King and Queen also expressed their hope of "seeing him soon in Spain," according to the Royal Household. The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, did not attend the Mass because it coincided with his trip to Baghdad (Iraq) to attend the Arab League Summit, which took place this Saturday. The Prime Minister also did not attend the Funeral Mass for Pope Francis on April 26, which took place in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The King and Queen also attended, accompanied by Montero, Díaz, Bolaños, and Feijóo. At the final Mass for the inauguration of the Petrine Ministry of the Bishop of Rome, celebrated in March 2013 on the occasion of the new papacy of Pope Francis, Spain was also represented by King Felipe and Queen Letizia, although in that case as Prince and Princess of Asturias. Also in attendance were then President Mariano Rajoy, and the then Ministers of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel García Margallo; Interior, Jorge Fernández Díaz; and Justice, Alberto Ruiz Gallardón, among other members of the Government.

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