A moment of history and powerful symbolism as King Charles and Pope Leo pray together

For the first time in over 500 years, an English king has prayed alongside the Pope.

King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV prayed together during an ecumenical service at the Vatican.

The service, also attended by Queen Camilla, took place in the Sistine Chapel.

It came as The King and Queen began their State Visit to the Vatican.

King Charles is Supreme Governor of the Church of England set up by Henry VIII after he broke away from Rome in the aftermath of his attempts to annul his marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

Henry, who was a renowned theological scholar, had previously been named ‘Defender of the Faith’ by Pope Leo X in 1520 for his defence of the Catholic Church against the teachings of Martin Luther. However, when Pope Clement VII refused to allow the marriage to be annulled, Henry set up a new ‘church in England’ of which he ended up head. It was part of an ongoing Protestant reformation in England, supported by people in power, which would result in several decades of bloodshed before Anglicanism was established.

In the 17th century, Catholicism was viewed with growing suspicion by the political elite and in 1688, James II was overthrown after the birth of a male heir who had been christened Catholics. Centuries of opposition to Catholicism followed and members of that faith are still not allowed to succeed to the throne.

It’s why the moment that Pope Leo and King Charles prayed together publicly in the Vatican was so powerfully symbolic.

It clearly meant a huge amount to The King who has been a staunch advocate of stronger relations between all faiths for many years.

The State Visit had begun with an official welcome in the San Damaso courtyard before King Charles and Queen Camilla went inside to meet the Pope.

Following the service, the State Visit continued with time at the Papal Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls where King Charles will be named a Royal Confrater.