King Charles III Visits Birmingham Oratory Honoring Saint John Henry Newman

King Charles III resumed his royal duties by visiting the Birmingham Oratory to honor Saint John Henry Newman, the founder of the Oratory and a significant figure in the Catholic Church. During the visit, the King toured the sacred buildings, including Newman's preserved private study and chapel, the sacristy housing his vestments, and the library, viewing priceless artifacts such as the 1657 Polyglot Bible and a handwritten manuscript of Newman's poem, The Dream of Gerontius. The Oratory, established in 1848 and moved to its current location in 1852, remains a vital center for Catholicism in England, with a vibrant community and multiple daily Masses. King Charles was warmly welcomed by Archbishop Bernard Longley and Father Ignatius Harrison, who led the tour alongside curator Daniel Joyce. This visit marked the King's return to work after a summer break and preceded a planned reunion with his son, Prince Harry, in London. The visit also commemorated Newman's canonization in 2019 and highlighted his upcoming recognition as a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo.