Pope Leo congratulates the new Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Guillaume, who acceded to the throne following the abdication of his father, Grand Duke Henri.
By Vatican News
Pope Leo XIV has offered his “sincere best wishes” to Grand Duke Guillaume V on the occasion of his accession to the throne of Luxembourg.
In a telegram conveying his congratulations, the Holy Father says he joins “in the joy of an entire nation, rich in ancient and distinguished traditions deeply rooted in history.”
The Pope expresses his hope that the new Grand Duke might in turn “continue to promote a way of life inspired by the Christian values which have forged the identity of Luxembourg, and thus foster the tireless pursuit of the common good.”
After assuring Grand Duke Guillaume of his cordial regard and his heartfelt best wishes for peace for the future of the country, Pope Leo invokes upon him “the heavenly protection of the Mother of God,” and imparts upon him, and upon all the people of Luxembourg, his Apostolic Blessing.
Grand Duke to attend solemn Mass on Sunday
Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg, 43, succeeds as head of the Grand Duchy, following the abdication of his father, Grand Duke Henri, after 25 years on the throne. He will be crowned and sworn in on the Constitution before the 60 members of the Chamber of Deputies, in a ceremony attended by royal representatives from the Netherlands and Belgium.
Over the weekend, the Grand Duke will undertake his traditional tour of the country, which will conclude with a Sunday Mass celebrated by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Luxembourg.
Luxembourg, with a population of almost 700,000 people, is a parliamentary democracy with the Grand Duke as head of state. Guillaume will be the seventh Grand Duke since 1890, the year in which the modern monarchy was established in what is currently the world’s only Grand Duchy.
