Charles and Camilla were originally scheduled to visit the Vatican in April, but the trip was postponed due to health concerns surrounding Pope Francis, who passed away later that month. The royal couple had met privately with him before his death, and Pope Leo succeeded him soon after.

Strengthening Ties Between the UK and the Vatican

During the visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will be received by Pope Leo in the Apostolic Palace. The King will then meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State, while the Queen tours the Pauline Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s frescoes of St Peter and St Paul.

The monarch and the pontiff will later take part in a special ecumenical service focused on the “Care for Creation” — reflecting their shared commitment to environmental stewardship. Later, both leaders will attend a meeting on sustainability in the Vatican’s grand Sala Regia.

The visit will conclude with a service at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls and a reception at the Pontifical Beda College.

A spokesperson for the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office described the visit as “a key moment to strengthen this relationship” between the UK and the Holy See at a time of “global instability and conflict.”

They added: “The Catholic Church is the largest denomination of the world’s largest religion; it is also the world’s largest non-state education provider, educating 68 million students worldwide, and delivers a quarter of the world’s healthcare. His Majesty’s visit will therefore strengthen the UK’s relationship with this crucial and influential partner, helping to advance shared priorities — from promoting peace and security to tackling climate change.”