King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to make history this October with a state visit to Vatican City, where they will meet Pope Leo XIV for the first time since his election. The official announcement from Buckingham Palace has sparked interest across the globe, as the visit comes at a time of both transition and celebration within the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. The occasion is steeped in symbolism, marking not only the strengthening of diplomatic and ecumenical ties but also the beginning of a new era for both the British monarchy and the Holy See.
The upcoming visit, scheduled for late October 2025, will be the royal couple’s first official meeting with Pope Leo XIV. According to BBC News, this state visit was originally planned for earlier in the year but was postponed due to the declining health of Pope Francis. The King and Queen did, however, manage a private visit with the late pontiff on April 9—coincidentally, their 20th wedding anniversary. Buckingham Palace described how “deeply touched” Their Majesties were by the Pope’s “kind remarks” during what would become one of his final audiences before his death on April 21, 2025.
The Vatican visit will take place during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, a tradition held every 25 years and rooted in centuries of history. The 2025 Jubilee, themed “Pilgrims of Hope,” focuses on forgiveness, reconciliation, and unity—values that resonate strongly with both the Catholic Church and the Church of England. As CNN reports, the palace emphasized that “the visit will also celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the Jubilee year’s theme of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’”
This year’s Jubilee is especially poignant, as it follows an extraordinary period for the Catholic Church. The previous Jubilee, called by Pope Francis between 2015 and 2016, was an extraordinary event, departing from the traditional 25-year cycle. That jubilee ended with the closure of the holy door at St. Peter’s Basilica, a symbolic act of opening hearts to mercy and reconciliation. The last predetermined Jubilee occurred in 2000, known as the Great Jubilee, when global attention focused on issues of debt relief and social justice, with figures like Bono and Bob Geldof lending their voices to the cause, according to HELLO! magazine.
For King Charles, the visit carries deep personal and spiritual significance. As the Supreme Governor of the Church of England—a role established in the 16th century after Henry VIII’s break with Rome—Charles has long championed interfaith dialogue and cooperation. The King is no stranger to the Vatican, having visited multiple times as Prince of Wales. Notably, he attended the canonization of Saint John Henry Newman in 2019 and has written about his admiration for the theologian’s contributions to faith and society. Earlier this month, Charles became the first British monarch to visit the Oratory of St. Philip Neri in Birmingham, the community Newman founded in 1848, as reported by BBC News and the National Catholic Register.
The royal couple’s engagement with the Catholic Church has been especially visible in recent months. In September, Charles and Camilla attended the first Catholic funeral for a member of the Royal Family in modern times—the Requiem Mass for the Duchess of Kent. These gestures underscore a commitment to bridge-building and mutual respect, even as the Anglican and Catholic traditions maintain their distinct identities.
The transition to Pope Leo XIV’s papacy has brought its own share of historical firsts. Elected on May 8, 2025, after a swift conclave involving 133 cardinals from 70 countries, Leo is the first pontiff born in the United States and holds dual citizenship with Peru. Formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost from Chicago, he previously served as the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops, a powerful Vatican office overseeing bishop appointments. In his first remarks from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Leo paid tribute to Pope Francis and called for “peace and unity in the world,” as reported by The Independent.
Pope Leo XIV has quickly set out his priorities for the Holy See, emphasizing peace, justice, and truth as the three pillars of Vatican diplomacy. During his first Sunday blessing, he called for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, highlighting his commitment to addressing global crises. He has also identified artificial intelligence as a major challenge for humanity, warning of its implications for human dignity, justice, and labor.
The King and Queen’s state visit will not only highlight the ongoing warmth between the British monarchy and the Holy See but also the evolving nature of their relationship. As the National Catholic Register explains, state visits to the Vatican are formal occasions, emphasizing both ecumenical and diplomatic relations, with full recognition of the pope’s dual role as head of state and religious leader. Private audiences, like the one Charles and Camilla had with Pope Francis in April, are more personal, focusing on spiritual connections rather than official business.
Following the election of Pope Leo XIV, King Charles sent a private message of congratulations to the new pontiff, expressing his “warmest wishes” and acknowledging Leo’s “lifelong dedication to service, compassion and spiritual leadership,” according to HELLO! magazine. The King’s younger brother, Prince Edward, represented him at Leo’s inauguration, further underscoring the Royal Family’s commitment to fostering strong ties with the Vatican.
While details of the October visit remain under wraps, there has been speculation that it may coincide with the formal proclamation of St. John Henry Newman as the 38th Doctor of the Church, a significant honor announced by the Vatican in July. However, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni stated that he “did not have much to share at this time” regarding the timing of the proclamation.
The state visit also comes at a time when the UK and the Holy See enjoy full diplomatic relations, a status established in 1982. Despite the turbulent legacy of the Reformation, which saw Henry VIII break from Rome nearly 500 years ago, today’s relationship is marked by mutual respect and collaboration on issues ranging from humanitarian aid to environmental stewardship.
In a heartfelt message following Pope Francis’s death, the King and Queen expressed their sorrow, stating, “Our heavy hearts have been somewhat eased, however, to know that His Holiness was able to share an Easter Greeting with the Church and the world he served with such devotion throughout his life and ministry.” They praised Francis for his compassion, unity, and tireless commitment to “the common causes of all people of faith, and to those of goodwill who work for the benefit of others.”
As the world looks to October, all eyes will be on Rome, where two historic institutions—each with its own legacy of faith, tradition, and leadership—will come together in a show of unity and hope. The meeting between King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Pope Leo XIV is poised to be more than a diplomatic formality; it is a powerful symbol of reconciliation, shared values, and a renewed commitment to a future built on mutual understanding and peace.
