King Charles III is set for an audience with Pope Francis during his upcoming state visit to the Vatican, a meeting that signifies optimism regarding the Pope’s health following his recovery from double pneumonia. This announcement comes amidst preparations for the British monarch’s forthcoming visit to Italy, as disclosed by Buckingham Palace. Such state visits are meticulously arranged in coordination with the Vatican’s secretariat of state.
In a gesture of goodwill, King Charles had previously penned a private letter to Pope Francis when he first fell ill. The Pope, now 88 years old, has been hospitalized since February 14, but his condition is improving. The Vatican, noting these advancements, has reduced the frequency of health updates, with the next announcement anticipated in the coming days.
The monarch’s visit to the Vatican underscores a symbolic effort to strengthen ties between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, the latter having parted ways with Rome during King Henry VIII’s reign in the 16th century. As the head of the Church of England, King Charles has made fostering interfaith connections a priority since he ascended the throne over two years ago.
King Charles’ visit is slated to begin on April 7 and will encompass significant events throughout Italy, including its capital, Rome, which envelops the Vatican City. In Rome, the itinerary highlights the enduring relationship between the UK and Italy, two allied NATO countries, amidst European endeavors to support Ukraine against Russian aggression. A notable element of the visit includes a collaborative aerial display over Rome by Italy’s Frecce Tricolori and the UK’s Red Arrows.
The king and queen are also set to participate in a reception in Ravenna, Northern Italy, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the area’s liberation from Nazi control on April 10, 1945. Additionally, they will appreciate the local Emilia-Romagna cuisine and meet farmers affected by recent floods.
“The visit to Italy underscores the extensive bilateral ties,” stated Buckingham Palace in its remarks.
A significant highlight will be King Charles’ historic visit to the Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls—this marks the first time the King, as the Church of England’s supreme governor, will visit such an emblematic site. The basilica, celebrating reconciliation and ecumenical relations between Christian faiths, will host performances by choirs from the King’s Chapel Royal, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the Sistine Chapel.
Historically, English monarchs shared a special connection to this basilica before the 16th-century religious divide. Said to be the resting place of St. Paul, the church is of great historical and religious significance.
The visit aligns with the Papal Jubilee, a period dedicated to forgiveness and reconciliation observed every 25 years by the Catholic Church. The palace remarked on the significance of this visit during the Jubilee year, emphasizing its importance in advancing relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
