Queen Elizabeth II and the many popes she’s met during her long reign

Can you guess how many pontiffs the British sovereign has met? (Careful, it's a trick question!)

Looking back at the Queen’s 70 years as monarch, it’s incredible to think of all the engagements she has undertaken. Aside from governmental and charity appointments, the head of the Church of England has also had the opportunity to meet a number of popes.

During the Queen’s 70-year reign, there have been a total of seven popes. And unlike her very distant relative, Henry VIII, who was responsible for causing so much division in Christendom, Elizabeth has had a better relationship with the Catholic Church, meeting with a number of pontiffs.