Britain's King Charles III told Italy's parliament Wednesday that peace is "never to be taken for granted" before ending a visit to Rome with a surprise visit to a convalescing Pope Francis.

King Charles and Queen Camilla met with 88-year-old Francis, who has been recuperating from pneumonia at the Vatican after being released last month from hospital, on their 20th wedding anniversary -- a day packed with visits, handshakes, and a historic address to parliament.

"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," said a Buckingham Palace statement.

The king's speech was the first by a UK monarch to a joint session of Italy's two legislative chambers, and came on the third day of the couple's four-day state visit to Italy.

Speaking in Italian and English, the 76-year-old monarch eulogised Italy as a place "very dear to my heart", having made 18 official visits in over 40 years.

Citing Virgil, Dante, and Italy's unification hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, he called it "one of the pleasures of my........

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