King Charles & Queen Camilla Visit Pope Francis During Italy Trip
King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a surprise visit to Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday during their state trip to Italy. The unannounced meeting came on the same day the royal couple marked their 20th wedding anniversary, adding a personal touch to an otherwise official tour. While the visit to the Holy See had previously been postponed due to the pope’s fragile health, the meeting was quietly arranged and confirmed only on the morning of the visit, according to palace insiders. The Pope, who has been recuperating from a serious bout of double pneumonia that kept him hospitalized for over a month earlier this year, was said to be well enough to receive the royal couple in private. The Vatican stated that the pope offered his warm congratulations to the King and Queen on their anniversary, while King Charles, in turn, expressed his wishes for the pontiff’s continued recovery.
Buckingham Palace released a brief statement after the meeting, confirming that Their Majesties were delighted to be able to meet with Pope Francis in person. The meeting reportedly lasted around 20 minutes and included the exchange of gifts. A photograph released by the Vatican showed King Charles holding a red box, which is believed to have contained a ceremonial token for the pope. This encounter marks the third time Charles has met with Pope Francis, though it is the first since becoming monarch. He last visited the Vatican in 2019 to attend the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman, and he previously visited with Queen Camilla in 2017. Despite both Charles and Francis managing ongoing health issues, the atmosphere appeared warm and cordial, reflecting mutual respect and shared values between the British monarchy and the Holy See.
The royal visit to the Vatican followed a significant milestone earlier in the day, as King Charles became the first British monarch to address both chambers of the Italian parliament. This speech highlighted the deepening diplomatic and cultural ties between the United Kingdom and Italy. Later in the afternoon, the King also met with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, underscoring the political importance of the state visit. On Tuesday, the couple had been welcomed with full ceremonial honors, including a flyover from both the Italian and British air forces, and a formal greeting by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale Palace.
Pope Francis, meanwhile, made his first public appearance earlier in the week following his hospital discharge. He appeared in good spirits, smiling and greeting the public while seated in a wheelchair. Although he had been seen using a nasal cannula to assist with breathing, it was noticeably absent during Wednesday’s private meeting with the King and Queen, suggesting signs of improvement. The Vatican has not offered detailed updates on his condition but emphasized the pope’s gratitude for the King’s visit and kind wishes.
The final day of the royal tour will take the couple from Rome to the historic city of Ravenna. There, they will pay tribute to Italian literary giant Dante Alighieri by visiting his tomb. Queen Camilla is also scheduled to visit the Byron Museum to explore the life and legacy of Romantic poet Lord Byron, who spent significant time in Italy. The visit will conclude with a vibrant cultural experience at a local market in Piazza del Popolo, where they will engage with local food producers and participate in a culinary festival. This visit comes just two weeks after King Charles experienced temporary side effects from his cancer treatment that briefly disrupted his public schedule. Nevertheless, he has since returned to his duties, with royal sources reporting that his recovery continues to progress positively.
