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Pope Leo XIV was welcomed as the leader of the Catholic church this Sunday in Vatican City, and royals and political leaders from across the world traveled to celebrate the moment.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain were among the guests who attended the inauguration mass in St. Peter’s Square. They sat in the front row alongside other royals, and Letizia looked especially radiant in a white long-sleeve dress from Redondo Brand and a beautiful white lace veil—less bridal, more holy.
She accessorized with nude heels, a white top-handle bag, and dangling diamond-and-pearl earrings.
While it is traditional for women to wear black for most visits to the Vatican, a few Catholic royals are given “le privilège du blanc” or “the privilege of the white” when meeting the pope. Letizia is among the seven female royals who currently have this privilege. The others are Spain’s Queen Sofia (mother of Felipe), Belgium’s Queen Paola and Queen Mathilde, Grand Duchess Maria Teresa of Luxembourg, Princess Marina of Naples, and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Twelve years ago, Felipe and Letizia attended the inauguration of Pope Francis in the same place (and Letizia wore black then, as she was not yet queen).
Pope Francis passed away on April 21, and on May 8, following a papal conclave, Pope Leo was chosen as the new pontiff. “We congratulate Cardinal Prévost on his election as the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV. His call for peace inspires us, encourages us, and reflects the deep wishes and feelings of the Spanish people,” the Spanish royal couple said in a statement after the election.
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