In a historic first, King Charles and Pope Leo will pray together during a special church service at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican next week, marking the first time a British monarch and a pontiff have shared a prayer since the 16th-century Reformation. This momentous occasion highlights the deepening relationship between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, with the King and Queen’s state visit to the Vatican scheduled for October 22 and 23, 2025.
What Happened:
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s upcoming state visit to the Vatican is poised to be a moment of great historical significance. During their visit, the King will participate in a prayer service alongside Pope Leo in the Sistine Chapel, a place renowned for Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring ceiling. The service will focus on environmental protection, reflecting the King’s long-standing advocacy for nature conservation, and will bring together clergy and choirs from both the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which the King serves as supreme governor.
This marks the first time since the Reformation that a British monarch and a pontiff have prayed together in the same service. The last such interaction between a monarch and pope occurred during the reign of King Henry VIII, whose split from Rome in the 16th century led to the establishment of the Church of England.
King Charles and Pope Leo’s Meeting:
The visit will also be the first time King Charles meets the new US-born Pope Leo, following the death of Pope Francis earlier this year. While King Charles and Queen Camilla had a private meeting with Pope Francis in April 2025, the October visit will bring both the King and the Pope together in a more public and symbolic manner.
The state visit will include several meetings with Vatican officials, culminating in a special ecumenical service to symbolize the warmth between the two Christian denominations. The choir of St George’s Chapel and the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal will perform alongside the Sistine Chapel Choir, reinforcing the unity between the Catholic and Anglican traditions.
The Significance of the Visit:
Royal sources have emphasized the symbolic weight of this moment, marking a significant step in King Charles’s efforts to build bridges between faiths. The King has long been dedicated to fostering interfaith dialogue, and this visit provides a powerful opportunity to strengthen the relationship between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
Another key moment of the visit will be the King’s attendance at a service at St Paul’s Outside the Walls, a church traditionally linked to the English monarchy since medieval times. The King will be honored with an honorary spiritual title, “royal confrater,” acknowledging his ongoing work to bring different faiths together.
Historic Connections to the Pre-Reformation Era:
St Paul’s Outside the Walls, home to the tomb of St Paul, has deep historical ties with the English monarchy. Medieval and Anglo-Saxon rulers contributed to the upkeep of the abbey, and the Order of the Garter insignia has been displayed there for centuries. King Charles’s honorary title as a “royal confrater” will further cement the ancient connection between the English monarchy and the abbey.
Public and Church Reactions:
The British monarchy’s long-standing relationship with the Catholic Church has been fraught with tensions since the Reformation, but this event represents a significant thawing of relations. A Church of England spokesman praised King Charles’s decades-long commitment to interfaith dialogue and his ongoing efforts to find common ground between faiths.
This historic visit to the Vatican is seen not only as a personal milestone for King Charles but also as a diplomatic gesture that will strengthen the UK’s relationship with the Catholic Church, the world’s largest Christian denomination. The Foreign Office emphasized the importance of this state visit in fostering stronger ties with the Catholic Church, acknowledging its global influence.
What Happens Next:
King Charles and Queen Camilla’s visit to the Vatican will be a profound moment in both religious and diplomatic history. The prayer service in the Sistine Chapel will demonstrate unity between two long-separated Christian traditions, while the King’s honorary title at St Paul’s Outside the Walls reflects the ongoing relationship between the English monarchy and the Catholic Church.
With the King’s deep commitment to bridging religious divides, this visit underscores the monarchy’s evolving role in the modern world, one that embraces unity, understanding, and harmony among faiths.
Closing line:
This story may be updated with more information as it becomes available.
