King Charles III is scheduled to have an audience with Pope Francis during a state visit next month to the Vatican, suggesting the Holy See is optimistic the pontiff will be back at work by then, barring any setbacks in his recovery from double pneumonia.

THE King still plans to meet the Pope next month during a State visit to Vatican City and Italy – despite his hospital stay. Pope Francis, 88, has been in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital with

King Charles III and Queen Camilla's historic visit to Italy and the Vatican in April will strengthen ties with Pope Francis and Italy.

With Pope Francis entering his fourth week in hospital, those working in the Apostolic Palace are grappling with the continuing uncertainty over the pope’s health. The same is true for everyone in the Vatican.

The release of the photo a month into his treatment came after dozens of young people gathered under the pontiff’s windows to offer wishes for a quick recovery.

Pope Francis is registering new slight improvements in his monthlong treatment for pneumonia in both his lungs, the Vatican said Monday, as it also provided some details on the first photo of the pope released since his hospitalization.