A HEREFORDSHIRE  philanthropist has been made a Papal Knight by Pope Francis.

Clive Richards OBE DL, was made Papal Knight of the Equestrian Order of Saint Gregory the Great by the Holy Father, Pope Francis in January.

The former entrepreneur was awarded the knighthood for his service to the Diocese, his commitment to Catholic education and his support for the sick through his charity work.

His investiture took place Saturday, May 5 during Vespers at Belmont Abbey and was officiated by Archbishop George Stack of the Archdiocese of Cardiff.

The ceremony was attended by the Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire, The Dowager Countess of Darnley; the former Lord Lieutenant of Herefordshire Sir Thomas Dunne and Lord and Rev Lady Lisvane, the previous High Sheriff of Herefordshire.

The order was established in 1831 by Pope Gregory the XVI and named after his predecessor Pope Gregory the Great and is given to 'gentlemen of proven loyalty to the Holy See who are deemed worthy to be honoured by a public expression on the part of the Holy See'.