Queen Rania of Jordan visits the Pope

Sep 14, 2005, 15:06 GMT

Queen Rania of Jordan visited Pope Benedict XVI in Italy this week.

The Queen - one of the world's most glamorous royals - was accompanying her husband, King Abdullah, on his official trip to the pontiff's summer residence south of Rome.

The royal couple received a bright welcome from guards dressed in traditional blue and orange costumes when they arrived at Castel Gandolfo. King Abdullah is working to develop stronger relations between the Islamic faith and other religions.

Both he and the 33-year-old Queen are dedicated to creating a culture of peace and understanding between the Christian and Muslim worlds.

They were among the first to answer Pope Benedict's call when he appealed to Islamic leaders to help him combat "the cruel wave of fanaticism".

The royal couple's visit came just a week after the stunning Queen was honoured for her efforts to boost women's rights in the Middle East.

Gabriele Albertini, mayor in the northern city of Milan, gave Rania honorary citizenship in recognition of her work, which has included fighting to bring about social and cultural reforms in her own country and across the Muslim world.

Queen Rania, who gave birth to her fourth child earlier this year, said she was "very proud" to accept citizenship.

Copyright 2005 BANG Media International