King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to ailing Pope Francis receives important update

The King and Queen of England, Charles and Camilla, are anticipating state visits to the Vatican, Rome, and Ravenna in April.

Now, a spokesman from the Buckingham Palace has confirmed that the visits will take place as scheduled, “subject to Pope Francis’ health”, HELLO! has reported.

The trip was planned days in advance, back in February, before the Pope’s health took an unexpected turn.

The Supreme Pontiff was hospitalised due to a case of complex respiratory infection which further developed into a more serious one of double pneumonia.

The Holy Father’s health situation raised massive concerns around the world, including about the future of papacy.

However, in the days since, the Pope has shown considerable improvement and continues to recover at a hospital in Rome.

The King reportedly wrote to Pope Francis after the news of his ailment broke.

Charles and Camilla will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9. They hope to do so in Italy, which will be included in the four-day visit that they have planned in the country.

The Palace source has confirmed that officials had shared “hopes and prayers that Pope Francis’ health will enable the visit to go ahead.”

“On Tuesday 8th and clearly subject to Pope Francis' health, their Majesties will visit the Holy See to join Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee, held traditionally once every 25 years,” the source has revealed.

“The Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church, a year of reconciliation, prayer and walking together as pilgrims of hope, which is the Jubilee's theme,” the statement continued.

It has been further revealed that the King and Queen will meet with Pope Francis.

While the royal couple will also be in attendance for a service in the Sistine Chapel which is set to focus “on the theme of care for creation, reflecting Pope Francis's and His Majesty's longstanding commitment to Nature.”