Northern Ireland Cleric Urges King Charles Abdication After Papal Prayer at Vatican

King Charles III participated in a historic ecumenical prayer service with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel, marking the first public prayer between a British monarch and a pope since the 16th century. This event, focused on environmental care, symbolized reconciliation between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which Charles is the supreme governor. However, the service has sparked significant controversy, particularly from Reverend Kyle Paisley, son of Democratic Unionist Party founder Ian Paisley, who argued that the King violated his coronation oath to uphold Protestantism and called for his abdication. Critics, including the Orange Order, expressed deep disappointment, viewing the prayer with the pope as a betrayal of Protestant principles. The King’s participation is seen as breaking with historical Protestant-Catholic divisions dating back to Henry VIII's era and has raised questions about the implications for the British monarchy’s religious commitments. Despite the backlash, the event also highlighted King Charles's longstanding commitment to environmental issues, aligning with Pope Leo XIV's focus on climate change.