The King and Queen have postponed their planned state visit to the Vatican after doctors advised that Pope Francis still needed rest following his recent illness.
Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday that the visit had been postponed by “mutual agreement.”
However, the wider state visit to Italy will proceed in April with some adjustments to the schedule.
“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 palace stated.
The visit had been described as a “historic” occasion, coinciding with the Papal Jubilee year. It was expected to reinforce symbolic ties between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles serves as Supreme Governor.
Pope Francis, 88, was recently discharged from a hospital in Rome after being admitted in February with breathing difficulties.
Shortly after his admission, he was “diagnosed with pneumonia in both of his lungs.”
Later that month, the Vatican reported that his condition had become “critical” due to “developing both respiratory and kidney problems.”
Having previously had part of a lung removed in his youth, he remains vulnerable to infections.
In recent weeks, Catholics “have been united in their prayers for the Pope’s health.”
His condition improved after receiving treatment at “Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.”
Over the weekend, he made “his first public appearance since his admission to hospital.”
While the Vatican visit will no longer take place, the King and Queen will continue with their engagements in Italy, which aim to strengthen ties between the UK and Italy by emphasizing their “values, history and culture.”
The King is set to meet the Italian president and prime minister and will make history as the first UK monarch to address both houses of the Italian parliament. The royal couple has also been invited to a state banquet.
This trip had been planned during the Jubilee Year, a significant event for Catholics that occurs once every 25 years. The Vatican visit was to include an audience with the Pope and a service in the Sistine Chapel.
Just last week, Buckingham Palace expressed the King and Queen’s “hopes and prayers” that the Pope’s health would allow the visit to proceed. Royal sources had indicated that the “outlook was positive” but acknowledged that the schedule would be adjusted based on medical advice.
This marks the first state visit of the year for the King and Queen, who will also celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary while in Italy.
(BBC)
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