Programme of Charles's visit to Italy, Vatican released

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 18 - Buckingham Palace on Tuesday released the programme of King Charles III's visit to the Vatican and Italy next month, saying the aim is to "celebrate the U.K. 's warm bilateral relationship with each country".
    The programme of the April 7 to April 10 visit features an audience with the pontiff, who is currently in Rome's Gemelli hospital with bilateral pneumonia, and a "service in the Sistine Chapel, focused on the theme of 'care for creation', reflecting Pope Francis' and His Majesty's long-standing commitment to Nature".
    As king, Charles is also head of the Church of England.
    The Palace said the king and Queen Camilla would meet Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Premier Giorgia Meloni on April 9.
    It said Charles would also become the first British monarch to address a joint session of the Italian Parliament.
    On April 10 the king will go to Ravenna and attend a reception marking the 80th anniversary of the province's liberation from Nazi occupation by Allied Forces. (ANSA).