Britain’s King Charles III has emphasized the importance of safeguarding peace, declaring it “never to be taken for granted,” during a landmark address to Italy’s parliament on Wednesday.

The address marked a historic moment as the British monarch became the first UK sovereign to speak before a joint session of Italy’s two legislative chambers.

Speaking in both Italian and English, the 76-year-old King described Italy as a country “very dear to my heart,” referencing his 18 official visits over the past four decades.

The royal visit reached a heartfelt conclusion with a surprise stop at the Vatican, where King Charles and Queen Camilla met with 88-year-old Pope Francis, who is recuperating from pneumonia.

The meeting coincided with the couple’s 20th wedding anniversary and capped a day filled with official engagements, warm greetings, and diplomatic milestones.

The Pope, recently discharged from hospital, welcomed the British royals in what observers described as a symbolic gesture of goodwill and unity between the Holy See and the British Crown.