A royal visit to Italy and the Vatican is on the agenda for King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Despite Pope Francis falling ill, the Buckingham Palace confirms the state visit will take place as scheduled from April 7th to 10th, with various engagements planned in Rome and Ravenna. The King had previously sent a private letter to the Pope during his illness, but recent photos released by the Vatican show signs of the 88-year-old pontiff gradually recovering.
During the visit, King Charles will meet with Pope Francis and participate in an ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel. Additionally, the King will visit the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls, a significant church known to have been supported by Anglo-Saxon kings in the past. This visit is viewed as a gesture of reconciliation and unity between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles serves as the Supreme Governor. Furthermore, the trip coincides with the royal couple’s 20th wedding anniversary, adding a personal touch to the state visit.
The purpose of the visit extends beyond religious ties, aiming to strengthen the diplomatic relationships between the UK and Italy based on shared values, history, and culture. The King will engage in various activities, including meeting Italy’s president and prime minister and becoming the first UK monarch to address both houses of the Italian parliament. A state banquet and a joint flypast over Rome by the Italian air force and the UK’s Red Arrows will further highlight the military and political connections between the two countries. In Ravenna, the royal couple will explore the tomb of the famed Italian writer Dante and a museum dedicated to the poet Lord Byron, fostering cultural exchanges during the visit
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