King Charles and Queen Camilla met with Pope Francis on Thursday in a highly anticipated moment of their official visit to Italy, underscoring the strengthening of diplomatic and interfaith ties between the United Kingdom and the Catholic Church.
The royal couple’s encounter with the pontiff came after a ceremonial red carpet welcome by Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at the historic Villa Doria Pamphili in Rome. The meeting with the Pope took place at the Vatican, where the King and Queen were received with full honours in an atmosphere of mutual respect and admiration.
While details of their private discussions were not disclosed, the meeting is believed to have touched on shared concerns such as climate change, global peace efforts, and humanitarian work—areas in which both the British monarch and Pope Francis have taken an active interest.
Outside the formal settings, the Italian public showed strong affection for the royal visitors. Cheers of “Carlo!”—Italian for Charles—rang out from excited crowds, especially near the Colosseum, where the King and Queen posed for photos beside the ancient Temple of Venus. Local media also took note of the couple’s stately arrival in the distinctive claret-coloured State Bentley.
Adding a personal touch to the day’s proceedings, the Royal Family’s official X account marked the King and Queen’s wedding anniversary with a charming video. It featured the palace guards playing a rendition of Madness’s 1981 hit “It Must Be Love”, delighting royal watchers at home and abroad.
The meeting with Pope Francis, along with the warm welcome from both Italian officials and the public, marks a significant moment in the royal couple’s visit—blending tradition, diplomacy, and heartfelt celebration on the global stage.