RAVENNA, Italy: King Charles III and Queen Camilla capped a state visit to Italy on Thursday with a visit to Dante’s tomb and world-famous mosaics in Ravenna, the day after a surprise meeting with Pope Francis.

Thousands of people waving British flags cheered as the king and queen arrived in the historic centre of the northeastern city on the fourth day of a trip that also saw Charles address Italy’s parliament. The 76-year-old monarch, who was briefly admitted to hospital last month after experiencing side effects from his cancer treatment, looked relaxed and cheerful as he shook hands with well-wishers, many of whom curtsied or bowed.

The royals — who celebrated 20 years of marriage at a state banquet in Rome on Wednesday — attended a reading of the closing canto of Italian poet Dante Alighieri’s most famous work “The Divine Comedy” before visiting his tomb. Dante, considered the “father” of the Italian language, was born and raised in Florence but was exiled for his political beliefs and spent the rest of his life in Ravenna, where he died in 1321.

Charles, who has visited Italy 18 times officially, referenced the poet during his speech to parliament on Wednesday, part of which he delivered in Italian. “I hope I’m not ruining Dante’s language... so much so that I never get invited back to Italy!” he quipped.

Rita Monari, a 68-year-old teacher from Ravenna, said she was pleased Charles “made an effort” to speak Italian “because... when a person speaks your language, you feel closer (to them)”. “It’s a great opportunity and a great moment for our city, because it’s something unique... there’s a great excitement in town,” she said.

Paola Bonifazzi, 50, said she had travelled from Milan to see them “because I love the royal family and I love King Charles”. Charles and Camilla had on Wednesday made a surprise visit to see Pope Francis, who is recuperating after being hospitalized for five weeks with pneumonia.

They had cancelled an official state visit to the Vatican due to his ill-health but were able to fit in a 20-minute private audience with the 88-year-old Catholic leader. On Thursday, the king will admire Ravenna’s mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries and meet artisans who keep the ancient art form alive, while Camilla will tour the Byron Museum.

Before leaving Italy, the couple was to visit a market and meet local farmers whose crops have been severely affected by devastating floods which have hit the region in recent years.

Many of the farmers are members of the Slow Food movement, which promotes local, traditional ingredients rather than industrialized or fast food. Charles has long been a champion of sustainable agriculture and has previously said Italy’s Slow Food tradition are close to his heart.

The Vatican on Thursday published a photograph of Pope Francis meeting King Charles III and his wife Queen Camilla the day before during the British monarch’s state visit to Italy. Wednesday’s meeting was a surprise, as Buckingham palace had cancelled the planned audience due to the 88-year-old pope’s poor health.

Francis, the head of the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics, is recovering from five weeks in hospital with life-threatening pneumonia. It was the first meeting between Charles, the head of the Church of England, and the pope since the monarch ascended to the throne in 2022.

The pontiff offered his congratulations to the royal couple, who celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary Wednesday, the palace and the Vatican said. During the 20-minute encounter, the king — who is recovering from cancer — and the pope also exchanged well-wishes for each other’s health, the Vatican said. “Their majesties were delighted the Pope was well enough to host them — and to have had the opportunity to share their best wishes in person,” a Buckingham Palace statement added.

Charles, 76, has been suffering from an unnamed cancer for more than a year and less than two weeks ago he was briefly admitted to hospital after experiencing side effects from his treatment.

He was out of action for a matter of days before resuming his official engagements on April 1. — AFP