King Charles and Queen Camilla will embark on a state visit to Italy and the Vatican in April, marking their second overseas tour since the monarch's cancer diagnosis last February.
During their visit to the Holy See, the royal couple will have a historic meeting with the Pope to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee year. Traditionally held once every 25 years, the Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church, a year of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’.
Pope Benedict XVI during the 2009 visit to the Holy See and Pope Francis during his visits in 2017 and 2019. In 1982, he also met Pope John Paul II in Canterbury during the first-ever visit of a Pope on British soil. But his meeting in the spring will be the first time Charles has met Pope Francis, who has held the papacy since 2013, as monarch.
Queen Elizabeth II was the last monarch to meet with Pope Francis back in 2014 when she had a personal audience with him in Rome.
The King and Queen are expected to visit various Vatican landmarks during the tour, including the Sistine Chapel. In Italy, the royal couple will undertake engagements in Rome and Ravenna, celebrating the strong bilateral relationship between Italy and the UK.
The Palace has not yet revealed the dates of the state visit, but the trip is understood to coincide with their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9.
Charles has visited the Holy See five times before, with Camilla joining him for two of the trips, in 2009 and 2017. He has officially visited Italy 17 times, with his most recent trip taking place in October 2021 for the G20 Summit in Rome. The Queen joined her husband on two occasions, in 2009 and 2017.
The King continues to undergo cancer treatment but is determined to return to a full royal schedule, both domestically and internationally. A second tour is due to take place in the autumn. Last October, the royal couple packed in 36 engagements during their nine-day tour of Australia and Samoa. A Palace source said at the time that Charles “genuinely thrived” on the trip and despite its demands, it had been “the perfect tonic”.
13 Comments
Karamba
I admire King Charles's commitment to his faith and the importance he places on the Jubilee Year for Catholics.
Matzomaster
It's heartwarming to see the positive response Charles had on his previous trip to Australia and Samoa.
Rotfront
It's great to see the royal couple continuing to promote good will across the world.
Noir Black
Charles's engagement in international activities shows his dedication to his royal role.
Marishka
Why are we celebrating 20 years of a royal marriage filled with rumors and controversies?
Eugene Alta
It's great to be active diplomatically, but shouldn't the government pay for official duties instead of burdening taxpayers?
BuggaBoom
Charles has already met the Pope before. Isn't this trip a bit redundant?
Loubianka
Isn’t Italy more of a Queen Elizabeth favorite destination? Does Charles even enjoy the place?
Katchuka
Should Charles be traveling abroad this much with ongoing cancer treatment? Should he prioritize his health instead?
Eugene Alta
I'm not sure how I feel about the Church celebrating its "Jubilee Year" while ignoring its past abuse scandals.
Rotfront
This seems like an attempt to deflect from the recent royal controversies with a positive publicity stunt.
KittyKat
I believe that this state visit offers an opportunity to address pressing global issues with international partners.
Leonardo
King’s cancer treatment is his personal matter. Broadcasting it publicly seems disrespectful.