Queen Camilla receives Catholic nuns and is moved by reports of rescue

Anabel Inge, MVO, acting chargé d’affaires at the British Embassy to the Holy See, commented on the impact of the reports on Queen Camilla during the meeting. “What struck me was how engaged Her Majesty was throughout the conversation,” Inge told EWTN News. “Many of the themes discussed clearly resonated. Her Majesty has consistently highlighted the importance of supporting women and girls, and this was a key focus.”

The meeting with the Queen included conversations about efforts to support migrant women and strengthen communities in the UK, educational initiatives supporting children affected by conflict in Lebanon, work to combat human trafficking in Asia, and programs helping vulnerable women build livelihoods and improve food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Commenting on the meeting in a press release, UISG stated: “Her Majesty expressed deep admiration and humility regarding the global work that Catholic sisters do to help vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls.” “This renewed exchange underscored the strong alignment between the mission of the Catholic sisters and Her Majesty’s long-standing commitment to supporting women and girls.”

Sisters from a variety of ministries around the world attended the meeting with Queen Camilla at Clarence House, including Sister Lynne Baron, FCJ, area leader of the Faithful Companions of Jesus in Great Britain and the archbishop’s delegate for Catholic social action in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Baron was joined by Sister Roxanne Schares, SSND, UISG executive secretary; sister Maamalifar M. Poreku, MSOLA, co-executive secretary of the UISG-USG Commission for Justice, Peace, and the Integrity of Creation; and sister Abby Avelino, MM, international coordinator for Talitha Kum.

Avelino drew attention to the Young Ambassadors Against Human Trafficking Program, initially supported by the British government and now expanded globally, which equips young people with tools to identify risks, raise awareness and lead peer-based prevention in their communities.

Describing young people as “protagonists of change”, Avelino said: “In many countries, they are helping to build a culture of prevention, supporting their peers in recognizing the risks of exploitation and trafficking, and promoting a vision of society rooted in dignity, freedom and solidarity.”

The meeting between the sisters and the queen came nine months after King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV in October 2025 in a historic ecumenical prayer service in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel. The prayer service marked the first time in 500 years that an English sovereign prayed with a pope.

“The meeting during Their Majesties’ State Visit to the Holy See in 2025 reflected the long-standing and positive relationship between the Crown and the Holy See,” Inge said.

Inge welcomed the latest meeting with the Queen as “a valuable opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contribution sisters make around the world, particularly in supporting women and girls affected by poverty, conflict, displacement and exploitation.”

She added, “What’s distinctive about the sisters’ contributions is that they are deeply embedded in the communities they serve. The tea was an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of that service, and the sisters’ personal stories helped bring these important issues to life.”

A royal family post on X highlighted the visit with the sisters: “The Queen welcomed sisters from the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) who shared the impact of their global work, particularly in supporting vulnerable women and girls… The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the sisters’ work in supporting women living in conditions of conflict, poverty and displacement around the world.”

©2026 Catholic News Agency. Published with permission. Original in English: Catholic religious sisters share global ministry with Queen Camilla in landmark meeting https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/europe/catholic-religious-sisters-share-global-ministry-with-queen-camilla-in-landmark-meeting