Pope Francis gives a Fragment from the True Cross to King Charles III of the United Kingdom as a Coronation Gift

Pope Francis King CharlesKing Charles will be crowned King of the United Kingdom on May 6th. Pope Francis has donated a relic from the true cross of Christ as a Coronation Gift.

According to the Church in Wales:
The Cross of Wales, a new processional cross presented by His Majesty King Charles III as a centenary gift to the Church in Wales, will lead the Coronation procession at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. In a significant ecumenical gesture, the Cross of Wales will incorporate a relic of the True Cross, the personal gift of Pope Francis to His Majesty The King to mark the Coronation. 

Inscribed with words from St David’s last sermon, the Cross of Wales will be blessed by the Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, at Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno, today (April 19).

The gift of the cross was commissioned by His Majesty The King, as Prince of Wales, to celebrate the centenary of the Church in Wales. 

Words from the last sermon of St David are chased on the back of the Cross in Welsh: “Byddwch lawen. Cadwch y ffydd. Gwnewch y Pethau Bychain”, which translates as: “Be joyful. Keep the faith. Do the little things.”

Welcoming the gift on behalf of the Church in Wales, Archbishop Andrew said, “We are honoured that His Majesty has chosen to mark our centenary with a cross that is both beautiful and symbolic. Its design speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage, our resources and our commitment to sustainability. We are delighted too that its first use will be to guide Their Majesties into Westminster Abbey at the Coronation Service.”

Source: https://www.churchinwales.org.uk/en/news-and-events/the-cross-of-wales-will-lead-coronation-procession/ 

Image : Screenshot from Vatican Media - from Canonization of John-Henry Newman

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