Pope Francis shakes hands with Britain's Prince Charles during a private audience at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 4, 2017. The heir to the British throne is on a three-country trip seen as an effort to reassure European Union nations that Britain remains a close ally despite its impending departure from the bloc. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY (AP) - Prince Charles has given Pope Francis a picnic basket full of tea and chocolate, sheepishly admitting "It's impossible to know what to get Your Holiness!"
Charles and his wife, Camilla, offered the gift at the end of a half-hour meeting Tuesday at the Vatican, the fourth day of their Brexit-inspired charm offensive to reassure Britain's allies. The British embassy said the food from the Highgrove royal estate was meant to be shared with the poor.
Francis, for his part, gave the royals a bronze olive branch and copies of his main teaching documents on the environment and family love.
As they bid farewell, Camilla shook the pope's hand and quipped: "My husband talks a lot. I wasn't allowed to get a word!"
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This version corrects that Tuesday is fourth but not last day of visit.
Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Britain's Prince Charles, during a private audience at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 4, 2017. The heir to the British throne is on a three-country trip seen as an effort to reassure European Union nations that Britain remains a close ally despite its impending departure from the bloc. (L'Osservatore Romano/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press
Pope Francis walks along Britain's Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, during a private audience at the Vatican, Tuesday, April 4, 2017. The heir to the British throne is on a three-country trip seen as an effort to reassure European Union nations that Britain remains a close ally despite its impending departure from the bloc. (Vincenzo Pinto/Pool Photo via AP)
The Associated Press