Queen and Pope discuss N. Ireland troubles

Queen Elizabeth II and Italian President Ciampi toast good relations between the two countries

VATICAN CITY -- Christian unity and the Northern Ireland troubles are expected to be broached by Queen Elizabeth II and the Pope during her visit to the Vatican.

The Queen, head of the Anglican Church in the UK, is making her fourth visit to the Vatican -- her second during the tenure of the present Pope.

She will be visiting Pope John Paul II as Britain's head of State rather than the Supreme Governor of the Church of England during the 20 minute meeting in the Pope's library.

They are not planned to pray together, but the Queen is expected to discuss the sensitive religious issue of Northern Ireland.

Relations between the Anglican and Catholic Churches are said to be good, especially following a meeting, set up by the Pope and the Archbishop of Cantebury, between bishops and cardinals in Toronto in May.

The Vatican recently branded breakaway churches as "defective", but it added the attack was not aimed at churches like the Church of England which broke away 500 years ago on the orders of Henry VIII for marital convenience.

The Duke of Edinburgh was also due to be present for the Queen's private Papal audience and was expected to join in discussions on ecumenical issues.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr George Carey, is expected to be briefed on the Queen's return to the UK after the four day state trip.

A question mark hangs over what the Queen will wear during her Papal visit, with speculation that she may wear something less formal than on previous occasions.

In 1980, during a full-scale state visit to the Vatican, as on her visit to Pope John XXIII in 1961, the Queen dressed entirely in black, with a tiara holding a cascade veil in place.

As Princess Elizabeth, in 1951, she wore a traditional long black dress and veil to meet Pope Pious XII.

Two previous visits to the Vatican have been full-scale state visits.

But the latest, during a Papal Jubilee Year, is termed an "official" visit, requiring slightly less ceremony.

Following the meeting, the Queen will visit Rome's Anglican Centre, the British Academy, and Italy's national gallery of art. She will spend Wednesday and Thursday in Milan.

The Queen began her Italian visit on Tuesday by sympathising with families who had been affected by the devastating floods in the northern part of the country.

Speaking at a gala dinner attended by 180 guests and hosted by President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi at Quirinale Palace, the Queen said: "May I take this opportunity to mention the torrential floods which have caused such damage in the north of your country over the weekend.

"Regions in both our countries have suffered badly from floods in recent days and I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to all those in both our countries who have been affected by these disasters, including in particular the families of those who have tragically lost their lives in nortnern Italy," she said. At least 12 people have been killed and some 15 are missing in the Italian floods with thousands being forced to flee their homes.

Also during the dinner, held in her honour, the Queen mentioned the close political, economic, and military defence relations between Britain and Italy.

She even mentioned the love affair many Britons have with Tuscany and sporting links through European football.

Ciampi referred to Britain's role during World War II in "keeping the flame of freedom alight in Europe."

Reuters contributed to this report.

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The Vatican
British Monarchy

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