Pope Francis met with King Charles III and Queen Camilla in a quiet but meaningful gathering on Wednesday during the British monarch’s state visit to Italy.
The Vatican shared a photograph of the meeting a day later, surprising many, as the visit had been previously cancelled due to the pope’s fragile health.
The 88-year-old pontiff is still recovering from a serious case of pneumonia that kept him in hospital for five weeks. Despite doctors urging rest, he chose to receive the royal couple at the Vatican. This was the first time King Charles has met the pope since becoming monarch in 2022, making the meeting both historic and personal.
Their brief 20-minute conversation included warm wishes and mutual concern for each other’s health. The visit also coincided with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, for which the pope offered his congratulations. Buckingham Palace said the king and queen were pleased to see Francis in good spirits and were grateful for the time shared.
King Charles, now 76, is also undergoing cancer treatment and was recently hospitalized for side effects related to his condition. He resumed public duties on April 1 after a short break. Though his illness has not been publicly named, it has clearly impacted his schedule in recent months.
Pope Francis, too, is still on the mend. He returned to the Vatican on March 23 and has been advised to rest for two months. However, he made a surprise appearance at the Vatican last Sunday, joining crowds in St Peter’s Square briefly after mass. Vatican officials report that both his breathing and mobility have shown progress. Though he has been using a breathing aid at night, he did not appear to need it during the meeting with the British royals.
The unexpected visit added a warm note to the state trip, as two world figures, both facing serious health challenges, took a moment to connect privately. With Easter approaching and hopes growing for the pope’s full recovery, the Vatican has not ruled out his participation in future religious events.