Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla plan to visit the pope this April, Buckingham Palace officials said on Tuesday.
According to a spokesman for the monarchy, Charles and Camilla will not only travel to Rome and Ravenna during their state visit to Italy, but will also stop by the Vatican. They want to meet the pontiff in person to support him in a difficult time – he recently suffered a serious illness. In addition, the current year is considered a jubilee year for the whole of Christendom, as it has been 2,025 years since the birth of Jesus Christ.
“On Tuesday the 8th their Majesties will visit the Holy See to join Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee, which is traditionally held every 25 years. The Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church. A year of reconciliation, prayer and pilgrimage together. The King and Queen will have an audience with Pope Francis and will also take part in a service in the Sistine Chapel on the theme of caring for God’s creation, reflecting Pope Francis and His Majesty’s long-standing commitment to nature,” the King’s press office said.
The palace source also emphasised that Charles III’s representatives shared “hopes and prayers that Pope Francis health will allow the visit to happen.”
Pope Francis was diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia in February. He has spent the last month in hospital, gradually recovering from his illness.
