The King is set to meet the Pope for an historic meeting when he travels to Italy for his first major royal tour of the year.
Charles will hold a private audience with the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, during a blockbuster trip to Rome in the spring. The trip, alongside the Queen, will mark a major sign of intent for the monarch as Italy celebrates its Jubilee year. The Pope labelled the theme “Pilgrims of Hope”, which began on Christmas Eve and will run until January 6 next year and is set to see millions of pilgrims visiting Rome and Vatican City to seek spiritual renewal.
Charles will become the first monarch in a decade to meet the Catholic leader and it will be the first time he is meeting the Pope as King. Often heralded for his unique ability to unite peoples of different faiths, Charles is understood to be keen to meet Francis, who at 88 has been in ill health and suffering from mobility problems in recent years.
