King's meet put back as Pope rests

THE King's meeting with the Pope has been postponed as the pontiff recovers from an almost fatal bout of pneumonia.

- BY MATTHEW YOUNG

The King and Queen were due to meet Francis, 88, on April 8 as part of a tour of Italy. But Buckingham Palace said yesterday it had been called off by mutual agreement after the Pope left hospital on Sunday.

The Palace said: "Medical advice has now suggested that Pope Francis would benefit from an extended period of rest and recuperation. "Their Majesties send the Pope their best wishes for his convalescence and look forward to visiting him once he has recovered."