Buckingham Palace announced on Saturday that King Charles III and Queen Camilla will undertake a state visit to the Vatican in late October 2025. This marks their first meeting with Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, 2025, following the passing of his predecessor, Pope Francis, on April 21, 2025. The visit coincides with the special jubilee year, celebrated every 25 years, and will emphasize the ecumenical collaboration between the Church of England and the Catholic Church under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’
King Charles, as the head of the Church of England, has a long history of engagement with the Vatican, having met three previous popes—John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis—during his tenure as Prince of Wales. The upcoming visit underscores the amicable relations between the two churches, which have evolved since the 16th-century split initiated by Henry VIII.
The royal couple’s trip also holds personal significance, as it follows a period of health challenges for both King Charles and Pope Francis. Earlier this year, Charles postponed an audience with Francis due to the pontiff’s declining health, while his own cancer treatment briefly hospitalized him in March. Despite these setbacks, the visit symbolizes a renewed commitment to unity and shared values, particularly in environmental advocacy, a cause both Charles and Francis championed.