In February, it really seemed like Pope Francis was not long for this world. Francis was hospitalized on February 14th for bronchitis and pneumonia, and the Vatican kept briefing stuff about how Franny was barely surviving each and every day. After Conclave lost the Best Picture Oscar, suddenly Franny’s health rebounded, although we’re now learning just how bad it was – apparently, Vatican doctors considered stopping treatment so he could go peacefully. But, as I said, his health rebounded and he was finally released from the hospital over the weekend. As it turns out, after that very serious medical ordeal, Pope Francis has absolutely zero interest in spending any time with King Charles and Queen Camilla next month. LMAO.
King Charles and Queen Camilla won’t meet with Pope Francis as planned during their upcoming trip to Italy. On March 25, Buckingham Palace announced that the King and Queen’s visit to the Holy See has been postponed by mutual agreement in light of medical advice for the leader of the Catholic church. Pope Francis, 88, has been advised to rest after being discharged from the hospital on March 23 following a 38-day stay.
King Charles, 76, and Queen Camilla, 77, are understood to have sent the Pope their wishes for his recuperation and hope to visit him at the Vatican once he has recovered.
The King and Queen were due to meet with the Pope during their upcoming trip to the Holy See and Italy from Monday, April 7 to Thursday, April 10, in a visit that will overlap with their 20th wedding anniversary on April 9.
It’s understood that the royal couple will continue with the visit to Italy, though the itinerary might shift amid the latest change.
It emerged last week that the King wrote a letter to Pope Francis for his recovery. A palace source said then it was their “hopes and prayers that Pope Francis’ health will enable the visit to go ahead,” in sentiments echoed by the King and Queen, sources say.
As sovereign, King Charles is the head of the Church of England, and his meeting with the Pope was highly anticipated in the year of a Papal Jubilee, which occur every 25 years.
While I think Pope Francis was genuinely near death and he absolutely needs to take it easy, I also think he was probably looking for an excuse to cancel this royal drive-by. Charles and Camilla have met Franny before, the last time they were all in the same room was 2017. That’s enough. “Postponed by mutual agreement” is palace-speak for “the Vatican canceled.” Not surprised that they’re still going to Italy though and it will be interesting to see the new itinerary. I bet an Italian wine tasting is on the agenda! Remember, this trip was originally supposed to happen last year, and Prince William and Kate were the ones who were supposed to go to Rome. The trip was postponed, and then Charles and Camilla jacked it from the Keens.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
