King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to The Holy See postponed

King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to The Holy See has been postponed.

A statement from Buckingham Palace reads, “The King and Queen’s State Visit to The Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement, as medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation. Their Majesties send The Pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him in The Holy See, once he has recovered.”

Pope Francis recently spent five weeks in hospital battling pneumonia in both lungs, and he was reportedly close to death. He has since been released from the hospital and returned home to Casa Santa Marta in Vatican City. It is expected that he will need at least two months to convalesce.

The state visit to Italy will go ahead, but some changes will be made to the program.