Pope Leo XIV has paid a personal tribute to the Duchess of Kent praising her “legacy of Christian goodness” in a message delivered during her funeral.
The pontiff highlighted her “dedication to official duties” as the King, Prince and Princess of Wales and other senior royals gathered with her immediate family and friends for her requiem mass, a Catholic funeral.
Missing was the Queen who pulled out of attending as she is recovering from acute sinusitis but remains hopeful of being able to attend the royal elements of US President Donald Trump’s state visit to the UK which begins on Wednesday.
The disgraced Duke of York made a rare appearance outside the environs of Windsor, with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York.
His public career was effectively ended by his friendship with American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as was the post of former UK ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson.
The requiem mass is the first Catholic funeral to be held for a member of the royal family in modern British history.
The pontiff’s message was read by Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendia, the apostolic nuncio or diplomatic representative in the UK of the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church.
He said: “I was saddened to learn of the death of Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent, and I send heartfelt condolences, together with the assurance of my prayerful closeness, to Your Majesty, the members of the royal family, and especially to her husband, the Duke of Kent, and their children and grandchildren at this time of sorrow.
“Entrusting her noble soul to the mercy of our Heavenly Father, I readily associate myself with all those offering thanksgiving to Almighty God for the duchess’s legacy of Christian goodness, seen in her many years of dedication to official duties, patronage of charities, and devoted care for vulnerable people in society.
“To all who mourn her loss, in the sure hope of the resurrection, I willingly impart my apostolic blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.”
