Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to embark on a historic state visit to the Vatican next week, where they will meet Pope Leo XIV for the first time, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
“The King and Queen will undertake an historic state visit to the Holy See from October 22 to 23, 2025. The visit will mark Their Majesties’ first meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025,” the palace said in a statement.
The royal couple’s visit will take place roughly six months after they met Leo’s predecessor, Pope Francis, during a private audience shortly before his death in April. Francis, who served as head of the Catholic Church for 12 years, passed away on April 21.
Pope Leo XIV, aged 70, is the first American to be elected to the papacy and is known for his extensive missionary work in Peru. He was chosen by the conclave of cardinals on May 8, succeeding Francis in leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
During their visit, King Charles and Queen Camilla will participate in events marking the Catholic Church’s special Jubilee Year, a sacred celebration held every 25 years. One of the highlights will be a service in the Sistine Chapel, reflecting on the shared “commitment to the protection of nature and concern for the environment” between Pope Leo and the King, both long-time advocates for environmental preservation.
Charles will also visit a seminary that trains priests from across the Commonwealth, while Queen Camilla will meet Catholic sisters from an organization dedicated to supporting girls’ education and addressing social issues such as sexual violence, human trafficking, and inadequate healthcare access.
Buckingham Palace described the visit as “a significant moment” in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. It will celebrate the ongoing ecumenical efforts of both institutions and align with the Jubilee theme of unity — walking together as “Pilgrims of Hope.”
As head of the Church of England, the King occupies a role that traces back to the 16th century, when King Henry VIII established the church following a break from Rome after the Catholic Church’s refusal to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon. Though that split led to centuries of religious division, relations between the Anglican and Catholic Churches have since evolved into one of mutual respect and cooperation.
King Charles, 76, who continues treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer, last met Pope Francis in April in Rome, despite the pontiff’s failing health. Before ascending the throne, Charles visited the Vatican five times as Prince of Wales and met three popes over the years.
What you should know
King Charles III’s upcoming visit to the Vatican marks his first official meeting with Pope Leo XIV and underscores growing harmony between the Anglican and Catholic Churches.
The trip also highlights both leaders’ shared commitment to environmental stewardship and interfaith dialogue during the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year celebrations.
