(ZENIT News / London, 02.08.2025).- King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make their first official visit to the Vatican as monarchs this April, joining Pope Francis in the celebrations of the Holy Year 2025. Buckingham Palace confirmed the visit, which will also include stops in Rome and Ravenna, underscoring the close ties between the United Kingdom and Italy.
For Charles, this will not be his first time at the Vatican—he has previously visited five times as Prince of Wales, including for the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005 and the canonization of Cardinal John Henry Newman in 2019. However, it marks his first official visit as sovereign, adding a new chapter to the long history of British royal interactions with the Holy See.
A Monarch Shaping a New Religious Identity
The King’s visit comes at a time when religious identity in the UK is shifting significantly. Once overwhelmingly Christian, Britain is now a country where less than half of the population identifies as such, and London, in particular, has become a melting pot of different faiths. Charles, who once expressed a desire to be known as «Defender of Faith» rather than «Defender of the Cristianity,» has long emphasized religious diversity and interfaith dialogue. His coronation in May 2023 reflected this vision, featuring participation from Catholic bishop for the first time in four centuries, as well as representatives of Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Sikh, and Buddhist communities.
Strengthening Catholic-Anglican Ties
The upcoming meeting with Pope Francis is expected to build on these efforts. The historical tensions between Catholics and Anglicans date back to Henry VIII’s split from Rome in 1534, yet relations have improved dramatically in modern times. Queen Elizabeth II, whose reign spanned seven papacies, played a significant role in this shift. She met with multiple popes, including Pope Francis in 2014 and Pope Benedict XVI during his 2010 visit to the UK.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster welcomed the news, calling the royal visit «a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the close relationship between the UK and the Holy See during this special Jubilee Year.»
A Tradition of Royal Visits to the Vatican
Royal visits to the Vatican have long been moments of historical and symbolic significance. Queen Elizabeth II visited the Holy See in 2000 during the Great Jubilee Year, and now, 25 years later, her son will do the same. Charles himself has maintained a strong connection with Italy, having visited the country 17 times since 1984, while Queen Camilla has accompanied him on two previous occasions.
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