A ceremonial silver cross with fragments, which the Vatican says is from the cross on which Jesus was crucified, was blessed on Wednesday ahead of its use for King Charles’ May 6 coronation.
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Pope Francis presented two fragments of the cross, one five millimeters, the other one centimetre, as a gift for the British monarch’s coronation from his wife Camilla.
They have been shaped into a small cross and incorporated into its design, appearing behind a pink clear crystal.
The Archbishop of Wales, Andrew John, blessed the new cross in front of dignitaries and parishioners at a ceremony in Llandudno, North Wales.
It will now be taken to London where it will be used at the forefront of the coronation process.
The cross “speaks to our Christian faith, our heritage,” said the Archbishop, “we are delighted that it is being used for the first time to lead His Majesties (Charles and Camilla) to Westminster Abbey for the coronation ceremony.
Charles presented the Cross of Wales to the Anglican Church on its centenary.
Designed by Michael Lloyd, the cross took two years to make from recycled silver bullion mixed with wood and slate fragments.
After the coronation it is shared by the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches in Wales.
Charles applied the king’s authenticating mark, a leopard’s head, to the silver portion of the cross during a visit to London last year.