King Charles III and Queen Camilla Announce State Visit to Pope Leo XIV at Vatican

King Charles III to Visit Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican in October

**King Charles III** and **Queen Camilla** are scheduled to make a state visit to the **Vatican** in late **October 2025** to meet with **Pope Leo XIV**. This meeting marks the first official encounter between the King, as head of the Church of England, and the newly elected Pope.

Rescheduled Visit After Pope Francis' Passing

The visit was initially planned for April but was postponed due to the declining health of the late **Pope Francis**. The King and Queen did, however, have a brief private audience with Pope Francis shortly before his passing. The upcoming state visit signifies a continuation of the evolving relationship between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

Significance of the Meeting with Pope Leo XIV

This meeting holds particular significance as **Pope Leo XIV**, elected in May, is the first Pope from the United States. This distinctive aspect adds a new dimension to the dialogue between the head of the Church of England and the leader of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, especially considering the historical context of the American Revolution.

"Pilgrims of Hope" and Ecumenical Emphasis

While the detailed itinerary of the October visit remains undisclosed, the overarching theme of “**Pilgrims of Hope**” is expected to permeate the royal audience's ecumenical focus. The visit aims to “celebrate the ecumenical work by the **Church of England** and the **Catholic Church**, reflecting the jubilee year’s theme of walking together as pilgrims of hope,” according to Buckingham Palace.

A History of Royal Engagements with the Papacy

The King's engagement with the papacy stretches back decades. He met **Pope John Paul II** in 1982 and attended his funeral in 2005. Encounters with **Pope Benedict XVI** in 2009, and **Pope Francis** in 2017 and 2019 further illustrate the ongoing dialogue.

Evolving Relations Between the Church of England and the Catholic Church

Despite a history marked by division following **Henry VIII’s** split with Rome in the 16th century, relations between the **Catholic Church** and the **Church of England** have improved significantly in recent times. This visit emphasizes the cordiality that now characterizes their interactions.

A New Chapter in Royal-Papal Relations

The October audience represents both a continuation of the tradition of royal visits to the Holy See and a moment of new significance. It marks the first formal meeting between an English monarch, in his role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and a Pope hailing from the United States.