For the first time since the Reformation, a British monarch and a reigning pope will gather to pray together in the Sistine Chapel. King Charles III and Queen Camilla’s upcoming state visit to the Vatican marks a pivotal step in Anglican-Catholic relations, symbolizing a renewed commitment to Christian unity and interfaith cooperation.
British Monarch and Pontiff to Share Prayer in Sistine Chapel
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit the Vatican on Thursday, October 23, for an official meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Central to the visit is an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, where the King and the Pope will pray side by side—the first such moment between a British sovereign and the Roman pontiff since the era of the Reformation in the sixteenth century. This event underscores the evolving relationship between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, with the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, co-leading the service. The choir will be composed of choristers from both the Chapel Royal and St George’s Chapel in Windsor.
Following the prayer service, King Charles and Queen Camilla will tour the Papal Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls. The King will be formally invested with the honorary title “Royal Confrater of St Paul,” and a specially commissioned chair, to be used by Charles and his successors, will be placed in the basilica. The events signify a deepening of the commitment to ecumenism and a visible connection to the week of Christian Unity celebrated annually in Rome and beyond.
King Charles’ Spiritual Journey Toward Catholic Engagement
The King’s engagement with Catholicism is well documented, reflecting both public and personal connections. He has previously attended a Catholic funeral Mass for his aunt, visited the home of Cardinal Newman in Birmingham, and is recognized for his longstanding support of Catholic charities such as Aid to the Church in Need. Observers note that this evolving spiritual journey has made Charles uniquely positioned to bridge centuries-old divisions within Christianity.
Symbolic Progress in Anglican-Catholic Relations
This visit is viewed as a culmination of gradual but steady reconciliation efforts between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church. Since the 1500s, relations have moved from confrontation to cooperation, with shared initiatives in charity, worship, and social action. The prayer service and ceremonial events in Rome are expected to pave the way for future dialogue and collaboration in areas of mutual concern, including poverty, migration, and global peace.
Image Credits:
• The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - Creative Commons License
Featured Image Credit:
• The Sistine Chapel, Vatican City via Wikimedia Commons with usage type - Creative Commons License