Pope Francis welcomed King Charles and Queen Camilla to the Vatican on April 9, 2025, despite his recent health issues. The meeting, held at Casa Santa Marta, lasted about 20 minutes and included a private exchange of gifts. The Pope congratulated the couple on their 20th wedding anniversary, which coincided with the visit.
Initially, the audience had been postponed due to Pope Francis’s recovery from a severe case of double pneumonia, which had led to a five-week hospitalization. However, his health improved sufficiently to allow this private meeting.
King Charles and Queen Camilla expressed their delight at the Pope’s recovery and appreciated the opportunity to convey their best wishes in person. This visit marked their third meeting with Pope Francis, following previous encounters in 2017 and 2019.
