VATICAN CITY – History has been made as Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III prayed together for the first time. The moment, filled with symbolism and quiet emotion, marked a new chapter in the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England — two faiths divided nearly 500 years ago.
The King and Queen arrived at the Vatican, greeted by Swiss Guards in full ceremonial dress. Inside the chapel, with Michelangelo’s masterpieces watching from above, choirs from both traditions sang in harmony. The Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal joined voices with the Sistine Chapel Choir, their music echoing through the sacred space as the King and the Pope recited the Lord’s Prayer together — the first time an Anglican monarch and a pope have done so publicly.
The Queen, dressed in black and wearing a traditional veil, stood beside the King during the service. Yvette Cooper, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, read a passage from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans, while Pope Leo led the final prayer, asking for peace and unity among believers.
After the prayers, the King and Pope exchanged gifts. The King presented the Pope with a silver photograph and an icon of St Edward the Confessor, an English king known for his faith and humility. In return, the Pope gave a small mosaic of Christ Pantocrator made by Vatican artists — a symbol of shared reverence for art, devotion, and heritage. Both men also agreed to plant trees as part of a joint effort to promote care for the environment.
Outside the Sistine Chapel, the King and the Pope stepped into the sunlight and shook hands in the courtyard of San Damaso. It was a simple gesture, but one filled with meaning — a handshake that spoke of reconciliation, understanding, and friendship. Queen Camilla also greeted the Pope warmly before the royal couple departed for their next engagement.
As the King’s Bentley rolled away from the Vatican, Pope Leo remained at the courtyard steps, smiling and waving. The moment may have lasted only a few seconds, but its impact reached across centuries of history. The meeting was not just a formal event; it was a reminder that faith can still bridge divides, and that even the longest separations can give way to peace and prayer.
For King Charles, known for his deep interest in faith and interreligious dialogue, the visit underscored his commitment to unity among Christian communities. For Pope Leo, who has called for greater cooperation among believers of all traditions, it was a living example of hope in practice.
Their prayers under the great dome of the Sistine Chapel may well be remembered as a defining moment — when two leaders, standing on different sides of history, found common ground in prayer.
