With the papacy (2005-2013) of Pope Benedict XVI at a close, it’s a fitting time to look back at the pope and other royals. Here are some photographs of his meetings through the years as pontiff with members of various royal families. Pope Benedict’s last official audience with a reigning royal took place when Prince Albert II of Monaco, accompanied by his wife, Princess Charlene, visited the Vatican earlier this year. Below, photos of Pope Benedict XVI with members of the royal families of Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Jordan, the United Kingdom, and Luxembourg. Photos by Corbis and Getty Images.
juliapgelardi 
We may be religious or not, we may agree or disagree with Pope Benedict’s views, but I believe we should admire a decision that places the good of the Catholic Church above his personal prestige.