Queen Elizabeth II with Pope Francis as they meet at the Vatican. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Thursday April 3, 2014. A smiling Queen arrived around 20 minutes later than expected after a private lunch at the Quirinal Palace in Rome with Italy's president Giorgio Napolitano. The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, shook hands with the leader of the Catholic Church and said: "Sorry to keep you waiting, we were having lunch with the president", before heading into a private meeting with the pontiff.??? The private conversation between the royal couple and the Pope lasted around 17 minutes and was followed by a formal exchange of gifts. See PA story ROYAL Pope. Photo credit should read: Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA Wire