King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom will embark on a landmark trip to Italy and the Vatican in April 2025, where they will meet Pope Francis during the celebrations of the Jubilee Year, a centuries-old Catholic tradition held every 25 years. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that this state visit, set for early April, will strengthen ties between the UK and Italy, with engagements planned in Rome and Ravenna, while also spotlighting the British monarch’s participation in one of the Catholic Church’s most significant religious events. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Charles will join an estimated 32 million pilgrims expected in the “Holy City” this year, during a period dedicated to forgiveness, reconciliation, and, as urged by the Pope, hope. This marks the first meeting between the king and Francis since Charles ascended the throne, blending personal faith with diplomatic significance in a historic moment.
The visit unfolds against a backdrop of longstanding relations between the British monarchy and the Vatican, defined by mutual respect and interfaith dialogue. Charles, known for his deep religious commitment and regular attendance at Anglican services, has met the Pope five times as Prince of Wales, but this encounter as reigning monarch carries new weight. The Jubilee, established in the 14th century by Pope Boniface VIII, invites the faithful to pass through the “Holy Doors” of Rome’s four major basilicas, a ritual the king is expected to undertake. Beyond its spiritual dimension, the itinerary includes official duties in Rome and the Emilia-Romagna region, reinforcing bilateral bonds with Italy, which has maintained full diplomatic relations with the UK since 1982.
This meeting between Charles and Francis also reflects shared passions, such as environmental advocacy and support for persecuted Christian communities, themes that have united the two leaders over the years. The trip, potentially aligning with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, promises to be a blend of religious symbolism and political outreach, with an exchange of gifts anticipated to cap the visit. Amid ongoing cancer treatment, diagnosed in 2024, Charles’ participation in the Jubilee underscores his resilience and dedication to royal duties despite personal challenges.
Charles III strengthens Vatican ties
The bond between King Charles III and Pope Francis rests on a foundation of respect and collaboration that transcends denominational divides. As head of the Anglican Church, Charles has consistently embraced dialogue with other faiths, evident in his prior Vatican engagements. In 2019, as Prince of Wales, he attended the canonization of St. John Henry Newman in St. Peter’s Square, honoring the influential theologian’s conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism. At the time, Charles penned an article praising Newman and thanked Francis for his environmental efforts, a cause dear to both.
This will be the Pope’s second encounter with a British monarch, following Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit in 2014. Charles’ 2023 coronation also featured notable Vatican gestures: Francis gifted two relics of the “True Cross”—wood fragments believed to be from Jesus’ crucifixion—which were incorporated into a new processional cross used in the ceremony and later donated to a church in Wales. The presence of two cardinals, including a personal representative of the Pope, marked the first Catholic participation in a British coronation in nearly half a century.
Catholic Jubilee draws millions to Rome
The 2025 Jubilee Year, which began in December 2024, anticipates 32 million pilgrims flocking to Rome, turning the city into a global hub of spirituality. Over its 12-month span, visitors are encouraged to visit the basilicas of St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, passing through the “Holy Doors” as a symbol of spiritual renewal. Pope Francis has called for this Jubilee to center on “hope,” a message that resonates with contemporary global challenges and is likely to frame his discussions with leaders like Charles.
The king’s involvement in the Jubilee highlights his personal connection to faith, seen in his advocacy for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. He has partnered with Catholic charities on this issue, showcasing a commitment that extends beyond his Anglican role. The Vatican visit, thus, is more than a formality—it’s a reflection of values he shares with Francis, including sustainability and peacebuilding.
Past meetings shape a special relationship
Charles and Francis share a history of interactions that have paved the way for this historic visit. As Prince of Wales, Charles visited the Vatican five times, including attending Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005, which prompted him to delay his wedding to Camilla to be present. In 2017, during a Vatican meeting, Francis urged Charles to be a “man of peace,” words that continue to resonate in his reign. These encounters have been marked by symbolic gestures, such as the True Cross relics gifted for his 2023 coronation.
This April trip will be Charles’ first Vatican visit as king, following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, and comes amid his ongoing cancer treatment. Camilla’s presence by his side reinforces the visit’s personal and official significance, which may coincide with their 20th wedding anniversary, adding a poignant layer to the journey.
Timeline of the 2025 visit
The itinerary for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s trip to Italy and the Vatican is slated for early April 2025, featuring key moments:
- Early April: Arrival in Rome for official engagements and UK-Italy relationship-building.
- Vatican Visit: Meeting with Pope Francis during the Jubilee celebrations.
- Ravenna: Trip to the Emilia-Romagna region for diplomatic events.
While exact dates remain undisclosed, speculation suggests the schedule might align with the couple’s anniversary on April 9, blending personal and public milestones.
Shared values steer the meeting
Environmental advocacy stands as a cornerstone uniting Charles and Francis, both globally recognized for their green stances. Charles, founder of the £50 million Earthshot Prize for environmental solutions, finds alignment in Francis’ “Laudato Si’” encyclical, which calls for climate action. This synergy is expected to dominate their talks, providing a platform to address global challenges through a lens of faith and leadership.
Support for persecuted Christians in the Middle East is another shared cause. Charles has collaborated with Catholic charities to deliver aid, while Francis often highlights these communities in his addresses. The April meeting could spark joint initiatives or public statements to amplify these efforts, deepening ties between the British monarchy and the Catholic Church.
Jubilee traditions and symbolic gestures
The Jubilee Year carries deep symbolic weight, and Charles’ visit will embrace its traditions. Pilgrims passing through the “Holy Doors” receive indulgences—a spiritual pardon in Catholic practice—and the king is set to join this rite alongside Francis. An exchange of gifts, a staple of prior meetings, is also anticipated. In 2019, Charles gave Francis family-related items, while the Pope offered religious tokens, gestures that cement their rapport.
Charles’ presence in Rome during the Jubilee echoes past royal visits, like Elizabeth II’s in 2014. Her Majesty, who passed away at 96, met Francis in a moment of harmony between the two institutions. Now, Charles builds on this legacy, bringing his own perspective as a monarch and spiritual leader.
Visit impacts diplomacy and faith
The trip to Italy and the Vatican carries implications beyond religion. In Rome, engagements with Italian officials aim to bolster economic and cultural ties between the UK and Italy, rooted in full diplomatic relations since 1982. The stop in Ravenna highlights Charles’ interest in regional connections, possibly tied to environmental or cultural projects.
At the Vatican, meeting Francis reinforces Charles’ role as a bridge between Anglicanism and Catholicism, a mission he’s pursued since his princely days. His participation in the Jubilee, drawing millions, elevates the British monarchy’s global profile, while his ongoing health battle adds a human dimension. Camilla’s steadfast support underscores their partnership amid these endeavors.
A personal and global milestone for Charles III
Despite his cancer treatment, begun in 2024, Charles III shows resolve in leading this overseas trip. His religious devotion, evident in regular worship and interfaith advocacy, finds a unique outlet in the Jubilee. The Vatican visit, paired with Italian engagements, positions him as an active leader during a transitional phase for the monarchy post-Elizabeth II’s long reign.
Meeting Francis, a pope known for humility and global outreach, highlights the monarchy’s enduring relevance in faith and diplomacy. With 32 million pilgrims expected, Charles’ presence amplifies the Jubilee’s message of hope, and joint gestures like gift exchanges could make headlines worldwide. This historic moment weaves tradition, spirituality, and politics, solidifying Charles III’s legacy as a monarch of broad vision.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom will embark on a landmark trip to Italy and the Vatican in April 2025, where they will meet Pope Francis during the celebrations of the Jubilee Year, a centuries-old Catholic tradition held every 25 years. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that this state visit, set for early April, will strengthen ties between the UK and Italy, with engagements planned in Rome and Ravenna, while also spotlighting the British monarch’s participation in one of the Catholic Church’s most significant religious events. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Charles will join an estimated 32 million pilgrims expected in the “Holy City” this year, during a period dedicated to forgiveness, reconciliation, and, as urged by the Pope, hope. This marks the first meeting between the king and Francis since Charles ascended the throne, blending personal faith with diplomatic significance in a historic moment.
The visit unfolds against a backdrop of longstanding relations between the British monarchy and the Vatican, defined by mutual respect and interfaith dialogue. Charles, known for his deep religious commitment and regular attendance at Anglican services, has met the Pope five times as Prince of Wales, but this encounter as reigning monarch carries new weight. The Jubilee, established in the 14th century by Pope Boniface VIII, invites the faithful to pass through the “Holy Doors” of Rome’s four major basilicas, a ritual the king is expected to undertake. Beyond its spiritual dimension, the itinerary includes official duties in Rome and the Emilia-Romagna region, reinforcing bilateral bonds with Italy, which has maintained full diplomatic relations with the UK since 1982.
This meeting between Charles and Francis also reflects shared passions, such as environmental advocacy and support for persecuted Christian communities, themes that have united the two leaders over the years. The trip, potentially aligning with Charles and Camilla’s 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, promises to be a blend of religious symbolism and political outreach, with an exchange of gifts anticipated to cap the visit. Amid ongoing cancer treatment, diagnosed in 2024, Charles’ participation in the Jubilee underscores his resilience and dedication to royal duties despite personal challenges.
Charles III strengthens Vatican ties
The bond between King Charles III and Pope Francis rests on a foundation of respect and collaboration that transcends denominational divides. As head of the Anglican Church, Charles has consistently embraced dialogue with other faiths, evident in his prior Vatican engagements. In 2019, as Prince of Wales, he attended the canonization of St. John Henry Newman in St. Peter’s Square, honoring the influential theologian’s conversion from Anglicanism to Catholicism. At the time, Charles penned an article praising Newman and thanked Francis for his environmental efforts, a cause dear to both.
This will be the Pope’s second encounter with a British monarch, following Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh’s visit in 2014. Charles’ 2023 coronation also featured notable Vatican gestures: Francis gifted two relics of the “True Cross”—wood fragments believed to be from Jesus’ crucifixion—which were incorporated into a new processional cross used in the ceremony and later donated to a church in Wales. The presence of two cardinals, including a personal representative of the Pope, marked the first Catholic participation in a British coronation in nearly half a century.
Catholic Jubilee draws millions to Rome
The 2025 Jubilee Year, which began in December 2024, anticipates 32 million pilgrims flocking to Rome, turning the city into a global hub of spirituality. Over its 12-month span, visitors are encouraged to visit the basilicas of St. Peter’s, St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul Outside the Walls, passing through the “Holy Doors” as a symbol of spiritual renewal. Pope Francis has called for this Jubilee to center on “hope,” a message that resonates with contemporary global challenges and is likely to frame his discussions with leaders like Charles.
The king’s involvement in the Jubilee highlights his personal connection to faith, seen in his advocacy for persecuted Christians in the Middle East. He has partnered with Catholic charities on this issue, showcasing a commitment that extends beyond his Anglican role. The Vatican visit, thus, is more than a formality—it’s a reflection of values he shares with Francis, including sustainability and peacebuilding.
Past meetings shape a special relationship
Charles and Francis share a history of interactions that have paved the way for this historic visit. As Prince of Wales, Charles visited the Vatican five times, including attending Pope John Paul II’s funeral in 2005, which prompted him to delay his wedding to Camilla to be present. In 2017, during a Vatican meeting, Francis urged Charles to be a “man of peace,” words that continue to resonate in his reign. These encounters have been marked by symbolic gestures, such as the True Cross relics gifted for his 2023 coronation.
This April trip will be Charles’ first Vatican visit as king, following Queen Elizabeth II’s death in 2022, and comes amid his ongoing cancer treatment. Camilla’s presence by his side reinforces the visit’s personal and official significance, which may coincide with their 20th wedding anniversary, adding a poignant layer to the journey.
Timeline of the 2025 visit
The itinerary for King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s trip to Italy and the Vatican is slated for early April 2025, featuring key moments:
- Early April: Arrival in Rome for official engagements and UK-Italy relationship-building.
- Vatican Visit: Meeting with Pope Francis during the Jubilee celebrations.
- Ravenna: Trip to the Emilia-Romagna region for diplomatic events.
While exact dates remain undisclosed, speculation suggests the schedule might align with the couple’s anniversary on April 9, blending personal and public milestones.
Shared values steer the meeting
Environmental advocacy stands as a cornerstone uniting Charles and Francis, both globally recognized for their green stances. Charles, founder of the £50 million Earthshot Prize for environmental solutions, finds alignment in Francis’ “Laudato Si’” encyclical, which calls for climate action. This synergy is expected to dominate their talks, providing a platform to address global challenges through a lens of faith and leadership.
Support for persecuted Christians in the Middle East is another shared cause. Charles has collaborated with Catholic charities to deliver aid, while Francis often highlights these communities in his addresses. The April meeting could spark joint initiatives or public statements to amplify these efforts, deepening ties between the British monarchy and the Catholic Church.
Jubilee traditions and symbolic gestures
The Jubilee Year carries deep symbolic weight, and Charles’ visit will embrace its traditions. Pilgrims passing through the “Holy Doors” receive indulgences—a spiritual pardon in Catholic practice—and the king is set to join this rite alongside Francis. An exchange of gifts, a staple of prior meetings, is also anticipated. In 2019, Charles gave Francis family-related items, while the Pope offered religious tokens, gestures that cement their rapport.
Charles’ presence in Rome during the Jubilee echoes past royal visits, like Elizabeth II’s in 2014. Her Majesty, who passed away at 96, met Francis in a moment of harmony between the two institutions. Now, Charles builds on this legacy, bringing his own perspective as a monarch and spiritual leader.
Visit impacts diplomacy and faith
The trip to Italy and the Vatican carries implications beyond religion. In Rome, engagements with Italian officials aim to bolster economic and cultural ties between the UK and Italy, rooted in full diplomatic relations since 1982. The stop in Ravenna highlights Charles’ interest in regional connections, possibly tied to environmental or cultural projects.
At the Vatican, meeting Francis reinforces Charles’ role as a bridge between Anglicanism and Catholicism, a mission he’s pursued since his princely days. His participation in the Jubilee, drawing millions, elevates the British monarchy’s global profile, while his ongoing health battle adds a human dimension. Camilla’s steadfast support underscores their partnership amid these endeavors.
A personal and global milestone for Charles III
Despite his cancer treatment, begun in 2024, Charles III shows resolve in leading this overseas trip. His religious devotion, evident in regular worship and interfaith advocacy, finds a unique outlet in the Jubilee. The Vatican visit, paired with Italian engagements, positions him as an active leader during a transitional phase for the monarchy post-Elizabeth II’s long reign.
Meeting Francis, a pope known for humility and global outreach, highlights the monarchy’s enduring relevance in faith and diplomacy. With 32 million pilgrims expected, Charles’ presence amplifies the Jubilee’s message of hope, and joint gestures like gift exchanges could make headlines worldwide. This historic moment weaves tradition, spirituality, and politics, solidifying Charles III’s legacy as a monarch of broad vision.
