VATICAN CITY — In a groundbreaking moment for both church and monarchy, King Charles III met with Pope Leo XIV on October 23, 2025, marking the first time in nearly five centuries that a British monarch has prayed publicly with a pontiff. The solemn service was held in the Sistine Chapel, a significant venue chosen for its rich artistic and spiritual heritage, and it sought to foster reconciliation between long-divided traditions.
Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the 76-year-old king arrived in Rome a day earlier, landing at Ciampino Airport where he was greeted by Christopher Trott, the British Ambassador to the Holy See. The couple took residence at Villa Wolkonsky, the ambassador’s official residence, as they prepared for a historic day.
The morning of October 23 began with a formal welcome at the Apostolic Palace, featuring the Swiss Guard and the playing of the national anthems of the United Kingdom and the Vatican. Queen Camilla paid homage by wearing a black lace mantilla during her audience with the pope.
This meeting was particularly significant as it was the first for Pope Leo XIV since his election in May. King Charles presented the pope with a silver photograph alongside an icon of St. Edward the Confessor. In return, Pope Leo bestowed upon Charles a replica of the Christ Pantocrator mosaic from Sicily’s Norman Cathedral. Their discussions encompassed vital global issues, including environmental stewardship and poverty reduction.
Under Michelangelo’s famed frescoes, the two leaders engaged in a 30-minute prayer service emphasizing care for the planet. This cause has been a cornerstone of King Charles’s initiatives. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell assisted Pope Leo in leading the service, with King Charles near the altar on a throne adorned with gold, symbolizing a significant shift in the relationship between the monarchy and the Catholic Church.
The spiritual service featured choral performances from St. George’s Chapel in Windsor and the Sistine Chapel Choir, who shared musical selections that underscored the historical ties between their traditions. The British choirs performed a piece by Thomas Tallis, a composer from the 16th century whose Catholic faith remained steadfast despite the Reformation’s turbulence.
Later in the day, the couple visited the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where King Charles was honored as Royal Confrater of the Abbey of Saint Paul. Entering through the Holy Door, which opens only every 25 years during a Jubilee Year, added to the weight of the occasion. Cardinal James Michael Harvey referenced the longstanding connections between England and the basilica, highlighting a pivotal 1966 meeting that marked the first formal dialogue between the Anglican Church and the Vatican since the Reformation.
The title of Royal Confrater, endorsed by the pope, embodies a spirit of unity and hope. A specially crafted throne, inscribed with the phrase “Ut unum sint” meaning “That they may be one,” will be preserved in the basilica for future use, reflecting the enduring ties between the British crown and the Catholic Church.
King Charles reciprocated the honor by bestowing Pope Leo with titles including Papal Confrater of St. George’s Chapel and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. Both Charles and Camilla received titles within the Order of Pius IX, reinforcing their commitment to fostering cordial relations with the Vatican.
This visit coincided with the 2025 Papal Jubilee, a time for reflection and renewal within the Church. Despite the historic familial ties that often complicated the monarchy’s relations with the Vatican, experts noted that the meeting represented a significant warming of relations.
While the backdrop of the visit included scrutiny regarding Prince Andrew’s controversial connections, the focus remained on the overarching goal of moral and spiritual resurgence. Observers noted the importance of this historic meeting, exploring its implications for both the monarchy and interfaith relations moving forward.