King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to embark on a significant state visit to the Vatican later this month, where they will meet Pope Leo XIV. This visit, announced by Buckingham Palace, underscores the enduring and amicable relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles is the supreme governor. The trip was initially scheduled earlier this year but was postponed due to the declining health of the late Pope Francis. In April, the royal couple paid a private visit to Pope Francis on their 20th wedding anniversary, marking one of the pontiff’s final high-profile meetings before his passing. The upcoming visit coincides with a special ‘jubilee’ year for the Catholic Church, celebrated every 25 years, and will focus on the theme of ‘pilgrims of hope.’ King Charles has long championed interfaith dialogue, and this visit symbolizes unity between Catholic and Anglican traditions. Earlier this month, the King and Queen attended the first Catholic funeral for a member of the Royal Family in modern times, honoring the Duchess of Kent. Additionally, the King visited the Oratory of St Philip Neri in Birmingham, founded by the 19th-century Catholic theologian St John Henry Newman, further highlighting his commitment to fostering religious harmony. The royal couple’s private meeting with Pope Francis in April 2025, held during their state visit to Italy, left a profound impression, with Buckingham Palace noting their deep appreciation for the pontiff’s kind words on their anniversary. Following Pope Francis’s death, Robert Prevost, a Chicago native, was elected as Pope Leo XIV by the conclave of cardinals.