King Charles and Queen Camilla‘s meeting with Pope Francis next month has been postponed, Buckingham Palace has announced. The Palace said that Their Majesties’ visit to the Holy See has been postponed “by mutual agreement as medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation”.
In a statement, Buckingham Palace said: “The King and Queen’s state visit to The Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement, as medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation. Their Majesties send The Pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him in The Holy See once he has recovered.” The King and Queen’s tour of Italy is understood to still be going ahead; however, changes to their programme are expected to be made.
A frail-looking Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalisation for life-threatening double pneumonia. His return brought relief after fears that his illness could be fatal or lead to another papal resignation.
The King wrote privately to the Pope when he was taken ill and a Palace source shared “our hopes and prayers that Pope Francis’s health will enable the visit to go ahead”.
However, they added that while the Palace was hopeful that the pontiff’s health was improving, the programme could be adjusted accordingly if his condition changed.
The King and Queen will arrive in Rome on Monday, April 7, for an official welcome before undertaking engagements in the Vatican on Tuesday to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee.
Traditionally held once every 25 years, the Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church, and this year’s theme is: ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
Charles and Camilla will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary in Rome with a ceremonial welcome at the Palazzo Quirinale. The event will feature a special joint flypast over Rome by the Italian Air Force aerobatic team, ‘Frecce Tricolori,’ and the Red Arrows to symbolise the two countries’ close defence relationship.
Their special day will also include a visit to the city’s iconic Colosseum, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a visit to the Italian Parliament, and a black-tie state banquet.
The King will become the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament, where he is expected to deliver a speech in both English and the country’s native language.
The final day of the four-day trip will conclude in Ravenna, northwest Italy, where the couple will view Dante’s tomb, the Byron museum and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia to view the impressive mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries.
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