King Charles and queen Camilla visit pope Francis during recovery

Department of Research, Studies and International News 10-04-2025

In an unexpected moment during their official visit to Italy, King Charles III and Queen Camilla paid a private call on Pope Francis, who is currently recovering from a severe case of pneumonia. The meeting took place on Wednesday at the pontiff’s residence in Vatican City, adding a heartfelt dimension to the royal couple’s diplomatic tour.

Pope Francis, now 88, is convalescing at Casa Santa Marta, where he has been staying since being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital in late March. The Pope had been hospitalized for five weeks due to pneumonia affecting both lungs, a condition that had initially cast uncertainty over any potential meeting with the British monarchs. In fact, their original itinerary had excluded an audience with the Pope due to concerns over his health.

Despite this, King Charles and Queen Camilla made a quiet and considerate gesture by visiting the Pope privately on the same day they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary. According to a statement released by the Vatican, the Pope offered his warm congratulations to the royal couple on this personal milestone, while they expressed their sincere wishes for his swift and full recovery.

A statement from Buckingham Palace expressed the couple’s gratitude, noting that they were “delighted” Pope Francis was feeling well enough to receive them and that they valued the opportunity to deliver their well-wishes face-to-face. The tone of the meeting was described as warm and personal, reflecting the mutual respect between the leaders of two major institutions, the British monarchy and the Roman Catholic Church.

Pope Francis is expected to remain at his Vatican residence for at least two months to complete his recovery, according to medical advice. While his public appearances and engagements have been limited since his discharge, the royal visit was seen as a morale-boosting occasion.

Earlier the same day, King Charles had made headlines in Italy when he addressed a joint session of the Italian parliament, becoming the first British sovereign to do so. In his speech, which included several remarks delivered in Italian, the King humorously acknowledged the challenge of speaking the language of Dante, joking that he hoped he wasn’t “butchering” it so badly as to lose any future invitation to Italy.

His remarks were met with appreciation and a warm response from Italian lawmakers, underscoring the importance of cultural diplomacy. “Italy holds a special place in the hearts of both myself and the Queen, as it does for so many British citizens,” he said, emphasizing the historical and cultural ties between the two nations.

As part of their state visit, the King and Queen also held a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and were later welcomed by President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinal Palace, where a formal state banquet was held in their honor. These engagements reflect the ongoing commitment of both countries to deepen diplomatic and cultural connections in a time of global uncertainty.

Their itinerary is set to continue with a visit to the city of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region on Thursday, after which the royal couple will return to the United Kingdom. The visit to Ravenna is expected to highlight shared cultural heritage and environmental cooperation between the UK and Italy.

The unexpected yet meaningful audience with Pope Francis stands out as a particularly poignant moment of this diplomatic journey. It served not only as a gesture of goodwill between two influential figures, but also as a testament to the enduring human connections that underpin international relations.

While state visits often focus on high-level political discussions and public ceremonies, this quiet act of kindness reminded observers of the importance of empathy and personal solidarity, even at the highest levels of power. In an age marked by crises and challenges, such gestures offer a glimpse of unity and compassion that transcends titles and borders.