King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled to visit Italy in April, Buckingham Palace recently announced. However, the couple's trip is reportedly "in doubt" due to an official's concerning health issues.
"Their Majesties The King and Queen will undertake State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April 2025," Buckingham Palace announced in February. "During Their Majesties' State visit to the Holy See, The King and Queen will join His Holiness Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year. Traditionally held once every 25 years, the Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church; a year of walking together as 'Pilgrims of Hope.'"
Unfortunately, Charles and Camilla's trip is "in doubt" on account of Pope Francis's current health issues, the Mirror reported. Pope Francis has been in Gemelli Hospital in Rome since February 14 and has been diagnosed with double pneumonia. "He has had several setbacks in that time, including two episodes of respiratory failure...and he is in regular need of oxygen," the Mirror explained.
In a statement released on March 8, the Vatican said that Pope Francis had shown a "good response" to his current treatment plan, and there had been a "gradual, slight improvement" in his condition, via Reuters. The Vatican also noted that Pope Francis's health remains "complex."
King Charles and Queen Camilla had been set to visit Rome and Ravenna during their trip to Italy. It's believed that the trip may coincide with the couple's 20th wedding anniversary, which takes place on April 9.
Meanwhile, King Charles is continuing to receive treatment following a cancer diagnosis in early 2024.
In September 2024, Queen Camilla's son, Tom Parker Bowles, revealed that Charles's "doctor says the treatment is going well," via the Express. King Charles shared his own health update in December 2024, during a visit to the London Borough of Walthamstow. When asked how he was, King Charles joked, "I'm still alive," via the Mirror.
