Royal couple postpones meeting with Pope Francis but will continue Italy tour
King Charles III and Queen Camilla have officially postponed their planned visit to the Vatican after Pope Francis was advised to rest following recent health complications.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the decision, stating that Their Majesties have extended their best wishes to the Pope for a swift recovery and hope to meet him once he is well enough.
The Pope was recently released from hospital after battling double pneumonia, which had kept him under medical care for over a month. The royal visit had originally included a private audience with Pope Francis and attendance at a special service in the Sistine Chapel — both now on hold due to the Pontiff's condition.
Despite the cancelled Vatican stop, King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to proceed with the remainder of their Italian tour. The couple will travel to Rome and Ravenna in early April, where the King is expected to meet with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.
