Canons of the Norbertine Order, including two from their smallest community at Fuston, near Filey, met Pope Francis during a private audience in Rome.
Father Thomas Swaffer and Father Martin Gosling were taking part in an international symposium to celebrate 900 years of the order’s existence.
The order was founded by St Norbert at Prémontré, north-east of Paris, on Christmas Day 1121.
It had its first foundation in Yorkshire at Easby in 1152, followed by Swainby, Coverham and Kirby Malham. All were lost at the Reformation.
The order returned to England to Crowle, Lincolnshire, which celebrated its sesquicentenary (150 years) in October.