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Photo of King and Queen meeting Pope released
A photo of the King and Queen during their private meeting with the Pope at the Vatican on Wednesday has been released.
Buckingham Palace said Charles and Camilla were "delighted" the pontiff was "well enough to host them - and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person". A picture post on the Royal Family X account said they were "deeply touched by The Pope's kind remarks about their 20th wedding anniversary".
A statement from the Vatican said Francis shared "his best wishes" with the couple as they marked their marriage milestone. It added he also "reciprocated his wishes to His Majesty for a speedy recovery of his health".
The King and Queen's state visit to Italy had been due to include an official stop at the Vatican, but this was postponed after the Pope's recent five-week stay in hospital, where he battled a life-threatening bout of double pneumonia. It is understood Wednesday's private audience - which included an exchange of gifts - was subject to the Pope's health and only confirmed earlier in the morning.
The 20-minute meeting is said to have taken place after the King and Queen returned from parliament, where Charles delivered a historic speech - partially in Italian. Discussions about the royals making their official state visit to the Holy See are ongoing, it is understood.
The Pope, 88, appeared before cheering crowds at the Vatican over the weekend - his first official appearance since he was released from hospital a fortnight ago. Francis, in a wheelchair, entered St Peter's Square on Sunday at the end of the celebration of a mass for the Catholic Church's jubilee year.
He waved to the crowds before wishing them a "happy Sunday.
Amir Nisi
Creative and experienced content writer with 6+ years of experience lazy to create unique content strategy for News5 to turn website visitors into customers.
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