Historic Royal Visit to the Vatican Underway
King Charles III and Queen Camilla began a landmark two-day state visit to the Holy See on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, arriving in Rome ahead of their engagements. The visit is being hailed as a significant moment for relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which His Majesty is the Supreme Governor.
The royal couple's itinerary includes a meeting with Pope Leo XIV, who was elected on May 8, 2025, succeeding the late Pope Francis. This marks the first time King Charles III has met Pope Leo XIV since his election.
Ecumenical Service and Environmental Focus
A central event of the visit is an unprecedented ecumenical service held on Thursday, October 23, in the iconic Sistine Chapel. This service holds profound historical significance, as King Charles III is the first British monarch to pray publicly with a Pope in 500 years, a practice that ceased following the Reformation when King Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church. The service, co-presided by Pope Leo XIV and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, emphasizes themes of Christian unity and the care for creation, a cause long championed by King Charles.
Musical contributions to the service include choirs from both the Sistine Chapel and Saint George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, symbolizing the blending of Catholic and Anglican traditions.
Strengthening Ties and Symbolic Gestures
Beyond the Sistine Chapel, the royal couple is also scheduled to attend an ecumenical service at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. During this visit, King Charles III will be formally designated a 'Royal Confrater' of the abbey adjoining the basilica, a gesture approved by Pope Leo XIV that recognizes a 'spiritual communion' between the two denominations. A specially designed seat for King Charles III will be installed in the basilica, intended for use by him and future British monarchs, further cementing the historic ties.
The visit underscores a continued dialogue and warming relations between the Anglican and Catholic Churches, building upon previous engagements, including a private meeting between King Charles and the late Pope Francis in April, just days before the pontiff's passing.
6 Comments
Eric Cartman
Care for creation and unity? Excellent priorities for a monarch.
Raphael
A truly historic moment for Christian unity! So inspiring.
Leonardo
Too much pomp for a religious visit. What about real issues?
Michelangelo
It's certainly a significant gesture towards reconciliation after centuries of division. However, it's important to remember that many traditionalists on both sides may not welcome such close ties.
Raphael
The environmental focus championed by King Charles is genuinely positive and timely. Yet, the opulence and expense of such a state visit could be seen as contradictory to messages of sustainability.
Kyle Broflovski
King Charles leading the way on reconciliation. Amazing!