Pope to receive King Charles and Queen Camilla in Audience next month

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Source: Vatican Media, Buckingham Palace

Pope Francis is slightly better. This evening (Tuesday) the Holy See Press Office announced that on Monday night the Pope did not require mechanical ventilation and instead relied on high-flow oxygen. The use of non-invasive mechanical ventilation at night and high-flow oxygen therapy during the day continues to decrease. The statement said: "While this is a positive development, it should be viewed with caution as part of a gradual reduction process."

The statement noted that the Pope's condition remains stable within a complex clinical framework and that there have been slight improvements in his motor and respiratory functions.

The Holy Father's day was spent undergoing treatments, engaging in prayer, and doing some light work. He continues to follow a medically prescribed diet, which now includes solid food.

A statement from Buckingham Palace today announced that King Charles and Queen Camilla will be received in Audience with Pope Francis on 8 April, as part of their State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy - from 7th - 10th April 2025.

Buckingham Palace says: "The Visit to the Holy See will be an historic visit in the year of the Papal Jubilee, and will mark a significant step forward in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England with a special service in the Sistine Chapel, joining hands in a celebration of ecumenism, and of the work The King and The Pope have done over many years on climate and Nature. The Visit to Italy will underscore the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship: our defence relationship including in the current international context; our shared values, history and culture; our work together on the clean energy transition; and the links between our peoples and communities."

"On Tuesday 8th April, Their Majesties will visit the Holy See to join Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee. Held traditionally once every 25 years, the Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church; a year of reconciliation, prayer and walking together as 'Pilgrims of Hope', which is the Jubilee's theme.

"The King and Queen will have an audience with Pope Francis. Their Majesties will also attend a Service in the Sistine Chapel, focused on the theme of 'care for creation', reflecting Pope Francis' and His Majesty's long-standing commitment to Nature.

In an historic first, His Majesty, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, will also visit the Papal Basilica of 'St Paul's Outside the Walls', with which English Kings had a particular link until the Reformation. 'St Paul's Outside the Walls' is recognised as the Papal Basilica where reconciliation, ecumenism and relationships across the Christian faith are celebrated. Members of the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal and the Choir of St George's Chapel, Windsor, will perform in both the Sistine Chapel and at 'St Paul's Outside the Walls'. In the Sistine Chapel, they will be accompanied by the Sistine Chapel Choir.

"The King will also attend a reception with Seminarians from across the Commonwealth and the British Vatican community. Meanwhile, Her Majesty will meet Catholic Sisters from The International Union of Superiors General, who are working around the world at grassroots level to promote female empowerment, through girls' education programmes, improved access to healthcare, climate action and the prevention of sexual violence and human trafficking."