Queen to meet Pope Francis for first time in Rome

Queen Elizabeth II will meet Pope Francis for the first time when she visits Rome in April as a guest of the Italian president, Buckingham Palace said.

The Queen and her husband Prince Philip will have an audience with the Pope after attending a lunch hosted by President Giorgio Napolitano during the one- day visit on April 3.

It will be the first time that the Queen, who is supreme governor of the Church of England, will meet the Roman Catholic leader since he was elected in March last year.