King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to embark on a significant state visit to the Holy See and Italy, scheduled from April 7 to 10, 2025. This visit will mark King Charles' first as sovereign and includes an audience with Pope Francis on April 8, a meeting that is especially notable given the Pope's recent health challenges.
On March 18, Buckingham Palace confirmed that the royal couple would participate in the 2025 Jubilee celebrations. This event has taken added significance as Pope Francis has been hospitalized at the Gemelli Hospital due to double pneumonia, raising concerns about his health since he has not made a public appearance since February 14, 2025.
Despite the Pope's ongoing hospitalization and his schedule being suspended, the latest updates from the Vatican indicated a slow recovery. A photo released over the weekend of March 15-16 showcased the 88-year-old pontiff praying in the hospital chapel, raising hopes that he will be able to resume public audiences soon.
According to the palace's statement, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will attend an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, emphasizing the theme of "Care for Creation," which aligns with both of their interests in environmental issues. Additionally, Charles will visit the historic Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, a significant site historically linked to English monarchs.
This visit holds deep historical significance as well; it coincides with the 20th anniversary of the funeral of Pope John Paul II, a ceremony attended by then-Prince Charles, whose own wedding was postponed by one day to accommodate the event. The royal couple’s trip further reflects King Charles' role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, illustrating the ongoing dialogue between Anglicanism and Catholicism.
Furthermore, this trip comes at a poignant time personally for the royal couple, as it marks their 20th wedding anniversary. Celebratory events planned around this milestone include a state banquet during their visit to Italy, where the royal couple will also meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on April 9.
In addition to the royal engagements in the Vatican, various ceremonies are set to unfold across Italy. Charles III will become the first British monarch to address both houses of the Italian Parliament, marking a historic moment in UK-Italy relations.
The visit is not without its modern-day reflections, as the royal itinerary includes joint events celebrating the shared values between the two nations. A joint flypast by the Italian Air Force's Frecce Tricolori and the UK's Red Arrows will take place in Rome, underlining the NATO alliance and fostering military ties between the UK and Italy.
On April 10, 2025, the royal couple will visit Ravenna, where they will participate in celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of the area's liberation from Nazi occupation by Allied Forces. As part of this visit, they will also tour the tomb of the renowned Italian poet Dante Alighieri and meet with local officials.
King Charles III's trip culminates in not just a meeting between two heads of state but also a reaffirmation of the long-standing relationship between the monarch and the Catholic Church. This marks a significant moment for the royal family, ground in history, symbolizing a pathway toward reconciliation involving the diverse branches of Christianity.
As the royal couple prepares for this momentous occasion, much attention remains on Pope Francis and his recovery, with hopes that their interactions will signal a renewed spirit of cooperation between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church.
The state visit, planned meticulously by Buckingham Palace, seeks to strengthen the UK’s ties with Italy while also marking substantial ecumenical progress, showcasing this newly aligned leadership across faiths during a time of historical reflection.
