Vatican releases image of Charles, Camilla meeting pope

The Vatican connected Thursday published a photograph of Pope Francis gathering King Charles III and his woman Queen Camilla the time earlier during the British monarch's authorities sojourn to Italy.

Wednesday's gathering was a surprise, arsenic Buckingham palace had cancelled the planned assemblage owed to the 88-year-old pope's mediocre health.

Francis, the caput of the world's 1.4 cardinal Catholics, is recovering from 5 weeks successful infirmary with life-threatening pneumonia.

It was the archetypal gathering betwixt Charles, the caput of the Church of England, and the pope since the monarch ascended to the throne successful 2022.

The pontiff offered his congratulations to the royal couple, who celebrated their 20th wedding day Wednesday, the palace and the Vatican said.

During the 20-minute encounter, the king -- who is recovering from crab -- and the pope besides exchanged well-wishes for each other's health, the Vatican said.

"Their majesties were delighted the Pope was good capable to big them -- and to have had the accidental to share their champion wishes successful person," a Buckingham Palace connection added.

Charles, 76, has been suffering from an unnamed crab for much than a twelvemonth and little than 2 weeks agone helium was concisely admitted to infirmary aft experiencing broadside effects from his treatment.

He was retired of enactment for a substance of days earlier resuming his authoritative engagements connected April 1.

Francis, who astir died doubly during his attraction for treble pneumonia, has been successful convalescence since his instrumentality to the Vatican connected March 23.

Despite being ordered to remainder and retrieve for 2 months, the Argentine made a astonishment quality successful St Peter's Square past Sunday astatine the extremity of a mass.

On Tuesday, the Vatican said that Francis's dependable and mobility were improving, raising hopes that helium whitethorn instrumentality portion successful upcoming Easter celebrations.

He has been utilizing a cannula -- a integrative conduit tucked into the nostrils -- to assistance him breathe, notably astatine night, but was not wearing 1 successful the representation released Thursday.

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