King Charles and Queen Camilla are reportedly set travel to Italy this spring for a landmark meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, marking their first major royal tour of 2025.
The historic audience would see Charles become the first British monarch in a decade to meet with the Catholic leader, and his first encounter with the Pope as King.
A royal source told the Mirror: “It is very much the intention of both parties to have both a public and private audience with one another.
“There is huge respect for one another and in such an important year for Italy and period in the Kings reign, the gathering will be all the more momentous.”
King Charles and Queen Camilla are reportedly set travel to Italy this spring for a landmark meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican, marking their first major royal tour of 2025
Getty
The meeting will reportedly include both public and private sessions.
The visit would coincide with Italy’s Jubilee year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope”, which began on Christmas Eve and will continue until January next year.
Charles and Pope Francis have previously met twice, most recently in 2019 when the then-Prince of Wales visited the Vatican for Cardinal John Henry Newman’s canonisation.
The 88-year-old Pope has faced recent health challenges, including mobility issues, though both parties are said to be committed to the upcoming meeting.
King Charles meeting Pope Benedict with Queen Camilla in 2009PAPrior to Cardinal Newman’s canonisation, Charles wrote an article reflecting on the legacy of the first English saint created in decades, who worked to bridge Anglican and Catholic relations.
The King’s previous Vatican visit was in 2017.
The upcoming meeting holds particular significance as Italy welcomes millions of pilgrims during its Jubilee year, with visitors seeking spiritual renewal in Rome and Vatican City.
Despite ongoing cancer treatment, King Charles is said to remain committed to maintaining his royal duties both at home and abroad.
King Charles, Pope Francis and Queen Camilla photographed in 2017GettyPalace sources indicate his treatment “continues to move in the right direction,” though schedule adjustments may be necessary if circumstances change.
A source told the Mirror: “The Australia and Samoa tour lifted his spirits, his mood and his recovery as did celebrations with his closest family over the Christmas period.”
The late Queen Elizabeth II met with Pope Francis during a personal audience in 2014, having encountered five popes during her reign.
Pope Francis did not attend Queen Elizabeth’s funeral in 2022, instead sending Archbishop Paul Gallagher as his representative.
GB News has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
