By Dotun Gbadebo
The Royals News room
In a moment steeped in history and symbolism, King Charles III has become the first British monarch in five centuries to pray publicly with a pope, marking a major step toward reconciliation between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
The event took place on Thursday under Michelangelo’s breathtaking ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, where the King joined Pope Leo XIV for an ecumenical service — the first of its kind since the Reformation.
The service, centered on the shared theme of care for creation, was presided over jointly by Pope Leo and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Both leaders emphasized the urgent moral responsibility of faith communities to protect the planet and foster unity among Christians.
Earlier in the day, King Charles and Queen Camilla met the newly elected pontiff at the Apostolic Palace following their arrival in Rome to mark the Catholic Church’s Jubilee Year, a once-every-25-year celebration of renewal and mercy. They were warmly received at Ciampino Airport by UK and Vatican dignitaries, including Britain’s ambassador to the Holy See.
The visit — hailed as “deeply symbolic” by religious observers — is being seen as a monumental gesture of goodwill, bridging a divide that dates back to 1534, when King Henry VIII severed ties with Rome to form the Church of England.
“It would be difficult to overstate the significance of this particular visit,” said Rev. Martin Browne, a Vatican official with the Department for Promoting Christian Unity. “A joint prayer service between a British sovereign and a pope has not taken place since before the Reformation.”
The ceremony’s grandeur was accentuated by sacred music performed by the Papal Choir and two choirs from the Royal Household, creating an atmosphere described by attendees as both solemn and historic.
Later, the royal couple attended a second ecumenical gathering at St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Rome’s ancient basilicas closely tied to English monarchs. During the visit, Pope Leo conferred upon King Charles the honorary title of “Royal Confrater of St. Paul’s”, describing it as a “gesture of hospitality and spiritual friendship.” A special chair bearing the King’s coat of arms and the Latin motto Ut unum sint (“That they may be one”) will be kept in the basilica for future British monarchs.
Both sides also exchanged honors — the Pope will receive from Charles the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, while the King and Queen will be named Knight and Dame of the Order of Pius IX, one of the Vatican’s most prestigious distinctions.
The visit concludes with the King attending a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, which trains priests from across the Commonwealth, while Queen Camilla meets Catholic sisters dedicated to girls’ education and women’s empowerment.
Relations between the Vatican and the British Crown have steadily improved since diplomatic ties were fully restored in 1982. King Charles, known for his deep interest in interfaith dialogue and environmental stewardship, had previously visited the Vatican five times as Prince of Wales.
Church historian Diarmaid MacCulloch of Oxford University described the occasion as “a profound gesture of reconciliation,” adding, “While the theological divisions remain, this visit demonstrates that goodwill and respect between these two ancient institutions are stronger than ever.”
