King and Queen have postponed their state visit to the Vatican, after doctors said the Pope needed to rest following a recent illness.
Gatekeepers News reports that the visit to the Vatican was postponed by “mutual agreement”, according to a statement released by Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
The wider state visit to Italy will continue in April with some alterations to the planned programme.
“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,” the palace said
The royal trip had been billed as a “historic visit” during the year of the Papal Jubilee.
It would have marked the building of symbolic links between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles is the Supreme Governor.
Pope Francis, 88, was only recently discharged from hospital in Rome after being admitted with breathing difficulties in February.
The Pope was diagnosed with pneumonia in both of his lungs shortly after his admission to hospital.
Later that month, the Vatican warned the pontiff was in a “critical” condition after developing both respiratory and kidney problems.
He is susceptible to infections after having part of a lung removed as a young man.
Catholics have been united in their prayers for the Pope’s health in recent weeks.
His condition improved following treatment at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital.
