King Charles and Queen Camilla have postponed their much-anticipated visit to the Vatican, initially planned for early April 2025. The royal couple was scheduled to meet Pope Francis on April 8 to mark the 2025 Jubilee. However, following advice from the Holy Father’s doctors, the visit has been delayed due to the pope’s need for extended rest following his recent illness.
According to a statement from Buckingham Palace, the postponement was mutual, and medical advice indicated that Pope Francis would benefit from a period of recuperation. The royal family posted on X, “The king and queen’s state visit to the Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement, as medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation.” The royal family also expressed their support for the pope, sending their “best wishes for his convalescence” and looking forward to a visit once he has fully recovered.
Pope Francis, 88, was hospitalized at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14 for treatment of bronchitis. After more than a month of hospitalization, he was discharged on March 25 and returned to his Vatican residence, St. Martha’s House. During this recovery period, he has been following a strict medical regimen, including respiratory and motor physiotherapy exercises. The Vatican’s medical team, available 24/7, continues to monitor his health closely.
The pontiff’s recovery, however, requires caution. His doctors have advised minimizing exposure to prevent potential infections that could further compromise his health. As a result, the Vatican Press Office announced that Pope Francis would not meet with large groups of faithful until at least the end of May. Both the general audience scheduled for this Wednesday and the Angelus on Sunday have been suspended. For the time being, Pope Francis will continue with tasks that are less physically demanding, including concelebrating Mass and handling essential work-related matters that do not overstrain him.
In a statement shared with the press, Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin emphasized that only urgent matters would be addressed during this period of convalescence. “We will take care of the most important matters that require his decision, also so as not to tire him out too much,” he said.
As for the royal visit, the ceremony was meant to include an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel focused on “Care for Creation,” highlighting a significant step forward in relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. King Charles was also scheduled to visit the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, an important site historically for English kings. The royal couple had planned to engage with British seminarians, and Queen Camilla was set to meet Catholic religious sisters, focusing on girls’ education, healthcare access, and the prevention of human trafficking.
While the visit to the Vatican is postponed, the royal couple will proceed with other aspects of their state visit to Italy. The postponement, while unfortunate, reflects the importance of Pope Francis’ health and the need for his recovery to be prioritized.
As Pope Francis continues his convalescence, the Catholic faithful are encouraged to pray for his swift recovery and for continued guidance during this time of rest. The Vatican has confirmed that while Pope Francis can receive visitors, these encounters should remain minimal to facilitate his recovery.
May the Lord Jesus Bless you and your health and all your good intentions. May Footnote 6 of Amoris Laetitiae and any permissions for Communion for ‘Remarried Couples,’ without annulment be withdrawn. And may the letter on the blessing of those in homosexual unions be withdrawn and rewritten to indicate, that, as with all sins, among the other usual requirements of a penitent, repentance from sin, AND a firm purpose of amendment are both required. Thank you for all the good things you have done Pope Francis but please rescind any changes to always accepted Church teaching and practice that you seem to have ignored. May God Bless your health and thanks for the good things and repentance and changes for the others. May Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadette, please intercede for you. AMEN.