King Charles and Queen Camilla Postpone Visit with Pope Francis as Church Leader Recovers

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.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! 

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.

Pope Francis was initially hospitalized on Feb. 14 for bronchitis and diagnostic "tests," the Vatican said in a statement then. He began treatment but developed double pneumonia and his condition worsened, with several updates (including slight improvements) shared before his release on March 23.