Britain’s King Charles and Pope Leo XIV engaged in a historic joint prayer session at the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel, marking the first time an English monarch and a Catholic pontiff have prayed together since King Henry VIII’s break from Rome in 1534. The chapel resonated with Latin chants and English prayers as the service, led by Leo and Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, unfolded with Charles, the supreme governor of the Church of England, seated at the Pope’s left near the chapel’s altar. This significant event, graced by the Sistine Chapel Choir and two royal choirs, symbolizes a pivotal moment in the relationship between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, bridging a five-century-old separation.
Despite previous encounters between Charles and the last three popes, including visits to Britain by Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI, joint prayers had never been part of their interactions. Charles and Queen Camilla also had a private audience with Leo earlier in the day. The visit, initially planned earlier in the year but rescheduled due to Pope Francis’s illness and passing, was a gesture of unity and reconciliation.
The King’s strong desire to visit the Vatican during the 2025 Holy Year, a rare celebration in Christian tradition, underscores the deepening bond between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion. The symbolism of the historic moment was not lost on Anglican Rev. James Hawkey, who described it as a “healing of history” that showcases the progress made in church relations over the past six decades.
During the service, Cottrell stood in for Sarah Mullally, the newly appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, who will assume her role next year. Later in the day, King Charles is set to visit Rome’s Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, a revered Catholic church, where he will be honored with the title of “Royal Confrater” by Pope Leo. Additionally, Charles will receive a custom-made chair adorned with his coat of arms and the motto “Ut unum sint” (That they may be one), symbolizing unity and collaboration between the British monarchy and the Catholic Church.
The exchange of honors between the Anglican and Catholic Churches, as well as the personal gestures between King Charles and Pope Leo, underscore a shared commitment to a harmonious future. The ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two faith traditions reflect a historical journey that began with the 16th-century split during King Henry VIII’s reign, driven by complex political and religious dynamics that shaped the trajectory of both the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
