Buckingham Palace on Tuesday released
the programme of King Charles III's visit to the Vatican and
Italy next month, saying the aim is to "celebrate the U.K.'s
warm bilateral relationship with each country".
The programme of the April 7 to April 10 visit features an
audience with the pontiff, who is currently in Rome's Gemelli
hospital with bilateral pneumonia, and a "service in the Sistine
Chapel, focused on the theme of 'care for creation', reflecting
Pope Francis' and His Majesty's long-standing commitment to
Nature".
As king, Charles is also head of the Church of England.
The Palace said the king and Queen Camilla would meet Italian
President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni on April
9.
It said Charles would also become the first British monarch to
address a joint session of the Italian Parliament.
On April 10 the king will go to Ravenna and attend a reception
marking the 80th anniversary of the province's liberation from
Nazi occupation by Allied Forces.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
