King Charles III and Queen Camilla to Visit the Vatican Next Week

Britain’s King Charles III, the head of the Church of England, along with Queen Camilla, will undertake a historic state visit to the Vatican next week to meet Pope Leo XIV for the first time, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.

“The King and Queen will visit the Holy See from October 22nd to 23rd, 2025. This will be Their Majesties’ inaugural meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025,” the palace statement said.

This visit follows approximately six months after the royal couple’s private meeting with Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, shortly before his passing.

Pope Francis died on April 21 after serving 12 years as the spiritual leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. His successor, Pope Leo, 70, who has a background in missionary work in Peru and is the first U.S.-born pope, was elected by the cardinals on May 8.

During their visit next Wednesday and Thursday, Charles and Camilla will participate in celebrations marking the special Jubilee Year, observed every 25 years, the palace noted.

The itinerary includes a service in the Sistine Chapel highlighting both Leo and Charles’ shared dedication to environmental protection. Additionally, the King will tour a seminary that trains priests from Commonwealth nations, while the Queen will meet with Catholic sisters involved in girls’ education programs aimed at addressing issues such as sexual violence, human trafficking, and limited healthcare access.

The palace described the visit as “a significant moment” in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, acknowledging the ecumenical efforts made and reflecting the Jubilee Year’s theme of “Pilgrims of Hope.”

King Charles, 76, leads the Church of England, the mother church of global Anglicanism, which was founded in the 16th century by Henry VIII following his split from the Catholic Church over an annulment dispute.

Although the separation once caused centuries of tension, relations between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church have become increasingly friendly in recent times.

Charles last met Pope Francis in Rome this past April, sharing a mutual passion for environmental issues, despite having officially postponed the private audience due to the Pope’s declining health.

The King, who is currently receiving treatment for an undisclosed cancer, has visited the Vatican five times as Prince of Wales and has met with three popes prior to this upcoming visit.