King and Queen set to meet Pope next month

The King and Queen's planned state visit to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis will go ahead despite his continuing ill health.

The palace confirmed that King Charles has written privately to the pontiff since he was admitted to hospital in February, and the historic gathering is still scheduled to take place in Rome in early April. A Buckingham Palace source said they had shared "our hopes and prayers that Pope Francis's health will enable the visit to go ahead.