King Charles and Queen Camilla will visit Italy and the Vatican in April, Buckingham Palace has said.
Charles visited Italy many times when he was the prince of Wales but this will be his first trip since becoming the UK's head of State.
"Their Majesties The King and Queen will undertake State Visits to the Holy See and the Republic of Italy in early April 2025," Buckingham Palace said.
"During Their Majesties' State visit to the Holy See, The King and Queen will join His Holiness Pope Francis in celebrating the 2025 Jubilee Year. Traditionally held once every 25 years, the Jubilee is a special year for the Catholic Church; a year of walking together as 'Pilgrims of Hope'.
"During Their Majesties' State Visit to the Republic of Italy, The King and Queen will undertake engagements in Rome and Ravenna, celebrating the strong bilateral relationship between Italy and the United Kingdom." As king, Charles is the head of the Church of England.
He is reportedly keen to meet Pope Francis and try to enhance already excellent ecumenical dialogue between the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Church, British media have said in recent days.
The British monarchs will reportedly meet Italian President Sergio Marttarella, Premier Giorgia Meloni and other Italian officials and dignitaries during their visit.
They will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of their once-controversial wedding on April 9, perhaps in Ravenna.
Italian media said Friday that Charles is looking forward to visiting the northeastern Italian city, with its Ancient Roman and Byzantine marvels as well as the tomb of Italy's greatest poet Dante Alighieri.
Buckingham Palace added in its communiquè Thursday night that the British court recalls how the 76-year-old King Charles visited the Holy See five times as Prince of Wales (the first in 1985, the second for the funeral of John Paul II, then on two occasions with Camilla and the last in 2019 for the canonization of Cardinal Newman); as well as how he received all three of the last pontiffs in Great Britain.
The Palace highlighted the 17 trips he made in the past to Italy before his accession to the throne almost two and a half years ago: the first over 40 years ago; in 1984, the last in 2021, for the G20, representing the then 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth, who died on 8 September 2022 To seal the announcement of the state visit to Italy, meanwhile, the Place further said, "Their Majesties will join tomorrow the Italian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Inigo Lambertini, Mrs Maria Grazia Lambertini and the Italian-American actor Stanley Tucci, for a dinner celebrating the Slow Food and Slow Fashion movements at Highgrove Gardens". It said it is an event that is expected to be attended by famous Italian chefs and sommeliers, as well as Italian entrepreneurs and representatives of the large community of compatriots living on the island.
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