King Charles III, Pope Leo XIV Pray Together at Vatican in Historic First Since Reformation

In a historic event marking the first time since the Anglican Reformation 500 years ago, Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla prayed publicly with Pope Leo XIV in the Sistine Chapel during an ecumenical service. The service, led by Pope Leo and the Anglican Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell, featured psalms sung by choirs representing both Catholic and Anglican traditions, symbolizing a deepening bond between the two churches. Charles, who is head of the Church of England, and Camilla sat in golden thrones beneath Michelangelo’s "Last Judgment," emphasizing the significance of this spiritual moment aimed at reconciling long-standing divisions. The visit also included an exchange of honorary religious titles between Charles and Pope Leo, further signifying spiritual fellowship. This event occurred amidst renewed scrutiny of the British royal family due to the Prince Andrew-Jeffrey Epstein scandal, providing a notable spiritual respite for the royals. The visit and joint prayer have been described as a significant step toward promoting Christian unity and healing historical rifts between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.