King Charles III and Queen Camilla have postponed their planned state visit to the Vatican, which was scheduled for early April, following medical advice concerning Pope Francis’ health.
Buckingham Palace confirmed the decision in a statement on Tuesday, citing the pope’s need for additional rest and recovery.
“Medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation.
“Their Majesties send the pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him in The Holy See, once he has recovered,” the statement read.
Earlier in 2025, Pope Francis battled pneumonia in both lungs, raising serious health concerns. King Charles had reached out to the pontiff at the time, offering his well wishes.
After nearly 40 days of hospitalization at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, the 88-year-old pope was discharged on Sunday.
Since then, he has celebrated mass within his Santa Marta residence and undergone therapy for breathing and speech.
The Vatican reported that, apart from his closest aides, Francis has not received visitors, and no date has been set for his next public appearance.
As the head of the Church of England, King Charles was scheduled to meet his Catholic counterpart on April 8.
However, the visit, his first to the Vatican as monarch, has now been postponed by mutual agreement with the Holy See.
The last time Charles visited the Vatican was in 2019, when he was still the heir to the British throne.
