Pope Leo receives Grand Duke Guillaume and Grand Duchess Stéphanie in the Vatican

The Grand Ducal Couple of Luxembourg were in the Vatican on Friday for a historic meeting with the Pope.

Grand Duke Guillaume V and Grand Duchess Stéphanie of Luxembourg were in Vatican City this Friday, 23 January, on a personally historic visit. Not only is it their inaugural trip to the Vatican as the Grand Ducal Couple, but Grand Duchess Stephanie also exercised a very significant privilege for the first time.

On a bright sunny morning, the Grand Ducal Couple arrived in the San Damaso Courtyard and were greeted by the Vice-Regent of the Prefecture of the Pontifical Household, Father Edward Daleng O.S.A, and Papal Staff. Many were delighted at the sight of Princes Charles and François, who were not previously announced to accompany their parents.

Grand Duchess Stéphanie was dressed in all white with a matching white veil on Friday, as is her right to the “Privilège du Blanc.” It is the custom for women meeting with the Supreme Pontiff of the Holy See be dressed in all black with a black veil (mantilla). The privilège du blanc allows Consorts of Catholic monarchies to wear white as opposed to the traditional black. The only women globally allowed the privilège are Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Paola of the Belgians, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa, Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Mathilde of the Belgians, Queen Letizia of Spain, as well as Marina, Princess of Naples. This was the first time since her husband’s enthronement to exercise this new privilege.

Once led through the historic corridors of the Apostolic Palace and into the Sala del Tronetto, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV greeted the Grand Ducal Couple. It is worth noting that when the Pope greets Heads of State or Ambassadors, it is alone. Only when greeting monarchs are they jointly presented to the Holy Father. The Grand Ducal Couple were then led into the private library.

The Pope, with the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess, sat for discussions before a gift exchange took place.

Grand Duke Guillaume was also received by the Vatican Secretary of State, His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and held a meeting with Secretary for Relations with States & International Organisations, H.E. Monsignor Paul Richard Gallagher.

A statement from the Holy See Press Office noted:

During the cordial discussions at the Secretariat of State, the focus was on the good existing bilateral relations and on the relationship between the Church and the [Grand Duchy], and reference was made to issues of common interest, such as social cohesion, the education of young people, and the protection of the dignity of life and of the human person.