King Charles III to Pray With Pope Leo XIV in Historic Vatican Visit After 500 Years

King Charles III is set to make history as the first head of the Church of England to publicly pray with the Pope in the Sistine Chapel in over 500 years, marking a significant milestone in Catholic-Anglican relations since the schism initiated by King Henry VIII. The two-day state visit to the Vatican includes an ecumenical service focused on environmental conservation, a cause closely associated with Charles's public life, and will feature choirs from both the Sistine Chapel and Saint George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. This historic event is also notable as Charles, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and legally required to be Protestant, meets with Pope Leo XIV for the first time since his ascension in May. The visit symbolizes a journey from rupture to reconciliation, with the ceremony blending Catholic and Anglican traditions and including readings and hymns that highlight theological kinship. The royal couple's visit also occurs amid renewed scrutiny over Prince Andrew's ties to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, adding a delicate context to the occasion. The event underscores not only diplomatic progress but also a shared commitment to faith, conscience, and global stewardship.