• Death of Pope Emeritus Thousands of faithful parade to see the body of Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Basilica

Queen Sofía will attend the funeral of Benedict XVI on behalf of the Spanish Crown, which will be held next Thursday at the Vatican.

As reported by Zarzuela, the mother of King Felipe VI will be present at the funeral, which will be held by Pope Francis in the Basilica of San Pedro at half past nine in the morning.

On behalf of the Executive, the Minister of the Presidency, Félix Bolaños, will be in charge of government relations with the Church.

It is the first time that the funeral of a Pope Emeritus has been held, so it was not clear the protocol that would be used, nor the leaders who would attend.

The Royal House sends Doña Sofía maintaining the good relationship that the Crown has cultivated for centuries with the Vatican.

A relationship that goes back to Isabel de Castilla and Fernando de Aragón, who obtained the title of Catholic Monarchs.

Since then all the Spanish Kings profess that religion.

In the case of Don Juan Carlos and Doña Sofía, throughout their reign they held numerous meetings with Juan Carlos II and also attended his canonization in Rome in April 2014. That same year, after the proclamation of Felipe VI, the new Kings chose the Vatixano with their first state trip, which took place just 15 days after the Proclamation ceremony.

After the death of Benedict XVI, Felipe VI and Doña Letizia sent a telegram to the Vatican in which they highlighted "the fruitful spiritual and intellectual legacy" of the Holy Father.

King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía received Benedict XVI in Madrid in August 2011, when the Pope celebrated world youth days in the capital.

Years ago, in April 2005, they were present at the inaugural mass of Benedict's pontificate.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Benedict XVI

  • The Vatican

  • Felipe VI

  • Juan Carlos I

  • Real home

  • Pope Francis I

  • Religion

  • Queen Sofia