Charles and Camilla to visit Vatican for Jubilee Year meeting Pope Leo XIV

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will undertake a State Visit to the Vatican City in late October to meet Pope Leo XIV, Buckingham Palace announced. The trip will coincide with the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, a celebration of pilgrimage and mercy. The couple, aged 76 and 78 respectively, will travel to Vatican City to meet Leo XIV and participate in Jubilee events.

The Jubilee Year is observed every 25 years and this year carries the theme Pilgrims of Hope, chosen to reflect a year of hope for a world still bearing the impacts of war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and a climate crisis, according to the Vatican website. The visit is also meant to honor ecumenical work between the Church of England and the Catholic Church as the Jubilee emphasizes walking together as Pilgrims of Hope.

The visit to the Vatican had been scheduled for April but was postponed after the death of Pope Francis in April this year; the couple instead met with the new pope, Leo XIV, privately on their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9, just weeks before his death. Leo XIV was elected as pope on the second day of the conclave and is noted in the notes as the first American pontiff, born in Chicago. Charles personally wrote to the pope when he fell ill but did not attend the funeral, sending Prince William in his place.

This follows a royal precedent—when a pope dies, the heir and sometimes other senior royals step in to represent the Crown at state ceremonies. The notes recount that Charles represented the Queen at the funeral of Pope John Paul II when he died in 2005, and that in 2013 for Pope Francis’ inauguration the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended, while in 2005 for Pope Benedict XVI’s inauguration Prince Philip represented the Queen. Monarchy officials emphasize that monarchs do not typically attend the funerals of heads of state, with the heir usually assuming those duties.

Observers note that the current arrangement continues a pattern of high level religious diplomacy between the United Kingdom and the Holy See. The January to October window has included notable interfaith dialogues and ceremonial exchanges, underscoring the value placed on the shared history of Church and Crown in Britain and the Vatican’s ongoing role on the world stage. The Jubilee’s theme of walking together as Pilgrims of Hope is framed as a call for unity amid ongoing global crises, including conflicts abroad, health challenges from the pandemic era, and the climate emergency. The royal couple’s forthcoming visit is viewed as a symbolic bridge between faith communities and a reminder of long‑standing ties between the British monarchy and the Catholic Church.

Earlier this month, the pope paid a personal tribute to the Duchess of Kent, who died at 92. Katharine Kent, a devout Catholic and the first senior royal to convert to Catholicism in more than three centuries, requested a Westminster Cathedral funeral. The pope’s condolence message lauded her legacy of Christian goodness, charity work, and dedication to official duties. The duchess’s requiem mass drew royals and dignitaries from across the United Kingdom, illustrating the Holy See’s ongoing connection to royal life and ceremonial acts. The duchess had long been associated with cultural and charitable causes, including Wimbledon, where she was known for supporting players and presenting trophies.

Representatives from the British monarchy have noted that the private audience with Pope Leo XIV will occur within a framework of ongoing interreligious engagement and ceremonial diplomacy. While dates and exact arrangements for the visit are still being finalized, officials say the aim is to highlight shared values on service, reconciliation, and hope in a time of global uncertainty. The October visit will come at a moment of renewed attention to ecumenical work between the Anglican and Catholic communities as both seek common ground on social and humanitarian issues that cross national borders. The trip will also likely touch on broader themes of cultural exchange, peace effort coordination, and the protection of vulnerable populations amid ongoing global challenges.

The Vatican has not disclosed a detailed itinerary, but observers expect the program to include formal audiences with Leo XIV, participation in Jubilee year events, and opportunities for bilateral discussions on topics ranging from interfaith dialogue to humanitarian aid. The visit will be watched closely in London and Rome as a symbol of continuity in royal duties and a reaffirmation of Britain’s engagement with diverse faith communities on the world stage.