King Charles and Queen Camilla postpone Vatican visit

The royal couple was set to visit the Vatican in early April to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee, but announced the postponement of their visit on March 25. Their audience with Pope Francis, now cancelled, would have been on April 8. 

The postponement was mutual, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace.

“The King and Queen’s state visit to the Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement, as medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation,” stated a post on X by the Royal Family.

Pope Francis, 88, returned to the Vatican on Sunday after 38 days in hospital, where he was treated for double pneumonia and other medical issues.

The Royal Family also shared their good wishes for Pope Francis’ recovery.  

“Their Majesties send the Pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him in the Holy See once he has recovered,” the statement continued.

The initial visit, according to the Palace, was designed to “mark a significant step forward in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England”.

The visit would have included an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, a visit by the King to the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, a reception for the King with British seminarians and a meeting between the Queen and women religious.

The royal couple will proceed with the other components of their April state visit to Italy.

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King Charles postpones Vatican visit to give Pope Francis more recovery time (By Kate Quiñones/Catholic News Agency)