King Charles III and Queen Camilla Set to Meet Pope Francis at the Vatican in April
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will embark on a state visit to the Vatican in early April 2025, Buckingham Palace announced on Thursday. The visit will mark the first time the British monarch has met with Pope Francis since ascending the throne in 2022.
This significant journey will also include a stop in the Republic of Italy, highlighting the strong bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and Italy. The royals will join Pope Francis for Jubilee Year celebrations, a tradition held every 25 years by the Catholic Church to allow a period of reflection and renewal. The trip comes as King Charles continues his public engagements following his recovery from cancer treatment early last year.
King Charles, who has made several state visits since resuming public duties, is also scheduled to visit Rome and Ravenna, two cities in Italy renowned for their historical and cultural significance. His state visit to the Vatican will be particularly notable given the long-standing history between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. The Church of England was established in the 16th century by Henry VIII, who broke from the Vatican after it refused to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.
The upcoming visit will not only be a diplomatic gesture but also an opportunity to celebrate the strong ties between Italy and the UK, a relationship that continues to thrive today. Prior to the visit, King Charles will host a special “UK-Italy dinner” at the Highgrove Gardens royal residence in southwest England, where the royal couple will join Italy’s ambassador to the UK and American actor Stanley Tucci. Tucci, who is known for his culinary expertise on his travel show exploring Italian culture and cuisine, also appeared in the Oscar-nominated political thriller Conclave, where he portrayed a cardinal.
This trip to Italy and the Vatican marks a pivotal moment in King Charles’s reign, underscoring his commitment to fostering international relations and supporting cultural and religious dialogue.
