Their late arrival doesn’t appear to have affected our new King and Queen! They are preparing for an historic visit to the Vatican on October 22, 2025. Impressions The royal couple arrived at Rome’s Ciampino Airport. There, they were greeted with great enthusiasm by Christopher Trott, British Ambassador to the Holy See, and Colonel Matteo Zuliani, of the Italian Air Task Force. February’s state visit couldn’t be better timed with the start of that year of the Papal Jubilee. It’s a momentous time of pilgrimage, reconciliation, and renewal for the Catholic Church.
Originally scheduled for the beginning of this year, the visit was delayed by Pope Francis’ deteriorating health. This will not be King Charles III’s first visit to the Holy See — he has come in the past. In particular, he visited there in 2009 and 2017 in his capacity as Prince of Wales. He was so moved by attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 that he began rethinking the direction of his life. He took part in the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman.
The importance of this visit goes far beyond the pomp and circumstance. King Charles III is set to pray with Pope Francis, making him the first British monarch to engage in a public act of worship with the Pope since the Church of England’s separation from the Catholic Church during Henry VIII’s reign in the 16th century. In a twist of providence, Queen Camilla will join Catholic Sisters from The International Union of Superiors General. This working meeting will occur midway through their residency in Rome.
In his statement on the recent Papal Jubilee, Pope Francis contemplated the focal point of that celebration—hope. He stated,
“My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of hope who will travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches.”
The royal couple’s presence emphasizes the unique relationship that exists between the United Kingdom and Italy. It highlights their mutual principles and deep cultural connections. An announcement regarding their visit noted,
“The visit to Italy will underscore the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship: our defence relationship, including in the current international context; our shared values, history and culture; our work together on the clean energy transition; and the links between our peoples and communities.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla prepare for their first engagements at the Vatican. Their visit is the first ever to Israel by any foreign leader of this kind. It is a huge diplomatic effort combined with a renewed commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
