The King and Queen are still planning to meet Pope Francis in the Vatican when they travel to Italy next month despite the pontiff’s ongoing illness. On the historic visit, the King, as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, will be the first British Monarch to visit the Papal Basicila of Saint Paul since the Reformation.

King Charles will meet Pope Francis as part of a state visit to Italy and the Vatican. The visit celebrates the Jubilee Year, strengthens Catholic-Anglican relations

The visit will see a symbolic building of links between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles is the Supreme Governor. As well as meeting the