King Charles and Queen Camilla have postponed their planned state visit to the Vatican, following medical advice recommending that Pope Francis take extended rest, Buckingham Palace
announced on Tuesday.
The royal couple had been scheduled to visit the Vatican on April 7, with a meeting with Pope Francis set for the following day. The palace had described the visit as a historic moment in relations between the British monarchy and the Holy See.
However, shortly after the trip was announced last month, Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized with a serious respiratory infection. He remained in care for several weeks and was only discharged on Sunday, marking the most significant health scare of his 12-year papacy.
A royal source previously shared that King Charles and Queen Camilla were hopeful the Pope’s condition would improve in time for the visit. However, the decision to postpone the trip was made jointly, prioritizing the Pope's recovery.
"Their Majesties send the Pope their best wishes for a full recovery and look forward to visiting him at the Vatican once he is well," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
While the Vatican leg of the royal tour has been called off, the couple's subsequent state visit to Italy is expected to proceed, although changes to the schedule may occur.
Pope Francis was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on February 14 with bronchitis, which later developed into double pneumonia—a particularly serious condition for the pontiff, who lost part of one lung in his youth due to pleurisy. According to his medical team, his condition became life-threatening during his hospital stay. Photo by Didier Moïse, Wikimedia commons.
