Pope Leo welcomes King and Queen of Spain to Rome

Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV on Friday received King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain in a private audience in the Apostolic Palace. Then, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, the royal couple met with Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

The King and Queen of Spain also met with the Vatican Secretary of State   (@Vatican Media)

The statement reported that at the heart of the discussions were “the good relations between the Holy See and Spain, which will see a significant moment in the Holy Father’s forthcoming Apostolic Journey.” Attention was also given to several current issues concerning the country's situation and the Church's mission in society.

Among the topics shared was also “the importance of a constant commitment to supporting peace” and the strengthening of the principles and values that form the basis of international coexistence.

A special title given

After leaving the Vatican, the royal couple proceeded to the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, where King Felipe VI was granted the title of Protocanon of the Chapter of the Liberian Basilica - one of the four papal basilicas in Rome. He formally took possession of this title in a ceremony presided over by the basilica’s archpriest, the Lithuanian Cardinal Rolandas Makrickas, with the participation of the Spanish canon Jaime Brosel. The Cardinal Archpriest and twelve Canons make up the Liberian Chapter of this Basilica.

According to a press release by the Holy See Press Office, the Basilica of St. Mary Major has long had ties with the Spanish monarchy. For centuries, Spanish rulers, ecclesiastics, and faithful have been supporters of the Basilica. For example, the gilded wooden ceiling was commissioned by Pope Alexander VI, the former Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia and the Archpriest of the Basilica.

Then, in 1603, this special relationship between the Catholic monarchy in Spain and the Basilica of St. Mary Major was formalized when the Liberian Chapter extended an invitation to King Philip III to take over the role of its guardian and Proto-Canon.

Since then, a number of gifts and commissions have taken place, including the reliquary of the Holy Cradle as a gift from the Spanish Queen Margaret of Austria. 

On August 5, 1953, Pope Pius XII renewed and confirmed this bond with the Bull Hispaniarum fidelitas, highlighting “the bonds of piety and devotion that have united the Iberian nation with the Basilica of Saint Mary Major”.

Following that promulgation, the Liberian Chapter celebrates three special Masses annually for the well-being of the Spanish people and their Head of State: the liturgical memorial of Saint Ferdinand Alfonso (30 May), the Feast of the Assumption of Mary (15 August) and the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December).