LONDON

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla's visit to the Vatican has been postponed "by mutual agreement" as Pope Francis recovers from illness, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday.

The palace said the royal couple's state visit to the Vatican has been postponed by mutual agreement "as 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 in The Holy See, once he has recovered," it added.

The postponement came after the 88-year-old pontiff returned Sunday to the Vatican following a five-week stay at Gemelli Hospital in Rome, battling double pneumonia.

The palace announced last week that the royal couple were set to meet Francis during a visit to Rome next month.

The visit to Italy is expected to continue.