King Charles III is scheduled to have an audience with Pope Francis during a state visit next month to the Vatican, suggesting the Holy See is optimistic the pontiff will be back at work by then, barring any setbacks in his recovery from double pneumonia.

The palace shared news about King Charles and Queen Camilla's upcoming visit to Italy and the Vatican amid Pope Francis' health concerns.

Reuters reported that King Charles III of the United Kingdom plans to visit Pope Francis at the beginning of April, citing a source at Buckingham Palace. It's important to note that the Holy Father is currently staying at the Gemelli Clinic due to health conditions that are fortunately improving.

The Vatican has released the first photograph of the pope in more than a month, showing Pope Francis wearing a purple Lenten liturgical vestments sitting in a wheelchair in front of an altar in the hospital chapel.

Pope Francis is registering new slight improvements in his monthlong treatment for pneumonia in both his lungs, the Vatican said Monday, as it also provided some details on the first photo of the pope released since his hospitalization.

The pope was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Feb. 14 with a severe respiratory infection that has required evolving treatment.