Historic Royal Visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla Meet Pope Leo at the Vatican for a Groundbreaking Prayer Session.HL

In a historic and deeply symbolic moment for both the British monarchy and the Catholic Church, King Charles III and Queen Camilla participated in a groundbreaking ecumenical service at the Vatican on October 23, 2025. For the first time since the Reformation in the 16th century, a British monarch has prayed alongside a Pope in public. This momentous occasion took place in the awe-inspiring Sistine Chapel under Michelangelo’s famous ceiling, marking a significant milestone in the relationship between the Church of England, of which King Charles is the Supreme Governor, and the Catholic Church

King Charles and Queen Camilla arriving at San Damaso courtyard at the Vatican

The royal visit began with a joint audience between King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace. Arriving through the iconic St. Peter’s Square, the couple was warmly welcomed at the San Damaso Courtyard before being escorted inside for their private meeting with the Pope. During their time together, King Charles presented Pope Leo with a large silver-framed photograph and an icon of St. Edward the Confessor, a gift symbolizing the deep Christian heritage of the British royal family. In return, Pope Leo offered the King a scale replica of the mosaic of ‘Christ Pantocrator,’ found in the cathedral of Cefalu, Sicily. This exchange of gifts underscored the shared Christian values that have long tied the two institutions together.

Queen Camilla

This meeting is particularly significant as it occurs during the 2025 Jubilee Year, a quarter-century celebration that underscores Christian unity and the shared commitment to care for the environment, which were key themes of the royal visit. Buckingham Palace highlighted the importance of this moment, noting that it reflects the ongoing ecumenical efforts and the Jubilee year’s theme of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’ These efforts are seen as vital in building stronger ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, two institutions historically divided yet increasingly unified in their shared mission.

Following their private audience, King Charles and Queen Camilla visited the Sistine Chapel for the ecumenical service, a solemn occasion that included performances by the Children of the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal and the Choir of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, accompanied by the famed Sistine Chapel Choir. This service, which saw the King and the Pope praying together in public for the first time in nearly 500 years, was a powerful symbol of unity and the shared Christian heritage between the two churches.

The day’s events were a fulfillment of a commitment made during Charles’ planned visit to Rome earlier in the year. However, due to the ill health of Pope Francis, the couple was unable to carry out the original visit. Pope Francis, who passed away in April 2025, was briefly met by Charles and Camilla in April before his death. Pope Leo XIV, who became the first American-born Pope in history following a May conclave, greeted the royal couple in place of his predecessor.

Queen Camilla; King Charles; Pope Leo XIV.

After the service, Queen Camilla stayed at the chapel to meet with the choirs, while King Charles joined Pope Leo for a meeting on sustainability in the Sala Regia, a stately hall within the Apostolic Palace. Later, the royal couple visited the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, where King Charles was made “Royal Confrater” of the Abbey, an honor that signifies spiritual fellowship. As part of this recognition, Pope Leo bestowed upon the King a special chair that will remain in the apse of the Basilica for future use by King Charles and his heirs, symbolizing a lasting bond between the British monarchy and the Church.

The royal itinerary continued with a visit to the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary that trains priests from across the Commonwealth, where King Charles was scheduled to attend a reception. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla, whose advocacy for women’s empowerment and healthcare is well-known, met with six Catholic Sisters from the International Union of Superiors General. These Sisters work around the world to promote girls’ education and access to healthcare—causes close to the Queen’s heart.

This visit, which underscores King Charles and Queen Camilla’s commitment to fostering stronger international relationships and promoting shared values of sustainability and care, is also a significant moment in the ongoing relationship between the British royal family and the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV’s heartfelt message of solidarity with the British royal family during the funeral of the Duchess of Kent in September further highlighted his desire to build close ties with the monarchy.

Pope Leo XIV was seen receiving King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom at the Vatican.

As King Charles and Queen Camilla continue their royal duties, their visit to the Vatican and their historic prayer with Pope Leo stand as a testament to the evolving and strengthening relationship between two of the world’s most influential Christian institutions, a relationship that promises to continue growing as the world moves into the future.