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Royal News

King Charles gives major honour to Pope Leo on important anniversary

The King has given a major honour to The Pope, exactly a year after they met in an historic State Visit by Charles III to the Vatican.

As the anniversary dawned, it was announced that King Charles had agreed to make Leo XIV a  Papal Confrater of the College of St George at St George’s Chapel, Windsor.

The announcement was made on October 23, a year after Charles III and Queen Camilla made history with their State Visit to the Vatican. It was the first time since the Reformation that a British Monarch had been seen praying publicly with a Pope.

During the State Visit, Charles III was made a Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome.

The new honour for Pope Leo came from the Dean and Canons of Windsor.

The Pope has accepted the invitation.

When King Charles was made a Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul’s Outside the Walls in Rome, a specially commissioned chair was given to him and placed inside the church for his use and the use of all future monarchs.

Now, a chair created just for Pope Leo XIV will be made and placed inside St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

As the appointment was announced, in a statement, it was described as a ”’a visible sign of spiritual fellowship, ecumenical friendship and Christian fraternity”.

Pope Leo has just been given the all clear after doctors found a small nodule on his lung during a routine examination. During surgery, it was confirmed it was cancerous. The Pope’s medical team said that the operation had dealt with the issue and The Pope was now clear of cancer.

King Charles, who continues to receive treatment for cancer, sent The Pope a message on learning of his diagnosis.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.