King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV Worship Together in Historic Vatican Service

VATICAN CITY - October 23, 2025 - In a moment steeped in history and symbolism, King Charles III of the United Kingdom joined Pope Leo XIV in a joint worship service at the Vatican, marking the first time in nearly 500 years that a reigning British monarch has prayed alongside the head of the Roman Catholic Church.

The ecumenical service, held in the Sistine Chapel beneath Michelangelo's iconic fresco of "The Last Judgment," brought together clergy and choirs from both the Catholic Church and the Church of England. Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, co-led the service alongside Pope Leo, with King Charles seated near the altar and Queen Camilla in attendance.

Latin chants and English prayers echoed through the chapel as the leaders of two historically divided Christian traditions united in a shared act of devotion. The event was part of King Charles and Queen Camilla's two-day state visit to the Vatican, their first meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025.

"This is a profoundly moving moment," said King Charles in a statement released by Buckingham Palace. "To stand together in prayer is a testament to the enduring hope for unity, peace, and mutual respect between our churches and our peoples."

The significance of the occasion cannot be overstated. It marks the first public act of worship between a British monarch and a pope since King Henry VIII's break with Rome in 1534, which led to the formation of the Church of England. While previous monarchs have met with popes in diplomatic settings, none had participated in a joint religious service until now.

Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pontiff, welcomed the royal couple with a ceremonial audience at the Apostolic Palace earlier in the day. The Pope and King then walked together to the Sistine Chapel, accompanied by the Swiss Guard and senior Vatican officials. The service included psalms, a Gospel reading, and musical performances by the Sistine Chapel Choir and two royal choirs from the UK.

A Vatican spokesperson described the event as "a celebration of Christian unity and a shared commitment to peace and environmental stewardship." The Pope and King Charles have both been vocal advocates for climate action and interfaith dialogue, and their meeting underscored those shared priorities.

The royal visit also included private discussions between the King and Pope Leo, focusing on global humanitarian issues, religious tolerance, and the role of faith in addressing modern challenges. Queen Camilla met separately with representatives of Catholic charities working in education and refugee support.

Observers across Europe and beyond hailed the event as a landmark in Anglican-Catholic relations. "This is not just a ceremonial gesture," said one Vatican official. "It's a signal to the world that reconciliation and cooperation are possible, even after centuries of division."

As the service concluded, King Charles and Pope Leo stood side by side in silent reflection, a powerful image of unity that resonated far beyond the walls of the Sistine Chapel.