Prince Edward will represent King Charles at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV

Edward, 61, will be joined by global leaders for the ceremony to mark the official start of Pope Leo XIV's tenure as the head of the Catholic Church.

King Charles sent a private message to the Pope congratulating him on his election as he expressed "most sincere good wishes for his Pontificate".

The new pontiff, who was formerly known as Robert Prevost, is the first American-born Pope in history and called for the Catholic Church to "desperately" try to remedy a lack of faith in his first Mass at the Vatican on Friday (09.05.25).

In an address delivered in Italian, the Pope said: "A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society."

The pontiff warned that people have been turning away from the church in favour of "technology, money, success, power, or pleasure".

He also echoed the calls of his predecessor, the late Pope Francis, in calling for peace around the world.

He said: "Help us, and each other, to build bridges through dialogue, through encounter, to come together as one people, always in peace."

Prince William had attended the funeral of Pope Francis on behalf of the King last month, after the monarch led tributes to the religious leader after his death at the age of 88.

Charles, who had met the late pontiff with his wife Queen Camilla just weeks before his passing, said in a statement: "My wife and I were most deeply saddened to learn of the death of Pope Francis. Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.

"His Holiness will be remembered for his compassion, his concern for the unity of the Church and for his tireless commitment to the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.

"His belief that care for Creation is an existential expression of faith in God resounded with so many across the world.

"Through his work and care for both people and planet, he profoundly touched the lives of so many.

"The Queen and I remember with particular affection our meetings with His Holiness over the years and we were greatly moved to have been able to visit him earlier in the month.

"We send our most heartfelt condolences and profound sympathy to the Church he served with such resolve and to the countless people around the world who, inspired by his life, will be mourning the devastating loss of this faithful follower of Jesus Christ. Charles R."