Image released of the King and Queen meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican

A historic address to both houses of the Italian Parliament wasn’t the only special thing about the King’s day in Rome on Wednesday, ITV News’ Royal Editor Chris Ship reports

King Charles and Queen Camilla met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Wednesday afternoon in a private audience.

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, it was confirmed the pair had a private meeting with the pontiff and were delighted he was well enough to host them.

The meeting took place at Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope has been convalescing for over two weeks after being released from Gemelli Hospital, and where he has recently resumed various meetings.

The King and Queen took the opportunity to share their best wishes in person, with a Buckingham Palace spokesperson saying: “Their Majesties were delighted The Pope was well enough to host them for a private meeting.”

Che occasione speciale!

A special moment for Their Majesties as they privately met His Holiness Pope Francis at the Vatican yesterday.

The King and Queen were deeply touched by The Pope’s kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary and honoured to be able to share their… pic.twitter.com/5WAZu9nN5q
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) April 10, 2025

In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office, the Vatican said: “Pope Francis met privately with Their Majesties, King Charles and Queen Camilla, this afternoon. In the course of the meeting, the Pope expressed his best wishes to Their Majesties on the occasion of their wedding anniversary and reciprocated His Majesty’s wishes for a speedy recovery of his health.”

ITV News understands the meeting was confirmed this morning and had been subject to the pope’s health being well enough to receive them.

An official meeting with the pope had been announced by Buckingham Palace at the beginning of March, during Pope Francis’ hospitalization due to bilateral pneumonia.

This was followed by a statement postponing this meeting on account of Pope Francis’ ill health.

The King and Queen are currently celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary whilst conducting a state visit to Italy.

Earlier on Wednesday the King became the first British monarch to address both houses of Italy’s parliament where he warned peace should “never be taken for granted” and paid tribute to the UK and Italy’s close ties.