King Charles and Queen Camilla made a historic visit to the Vatican on October 23, 2025, marking a significant moment in relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. The royal couple met with Pope Leo, 70, and took part in an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. This was the first time a British monarch has prayed publicly with a pope since the 16th Century Reformation, underscoring the importance of the occasion.
Following the service, the King and Queen met a group of schoolchildren from Scuola Primaria San Paolo – Istituto Figlie di Cristo, a local primary school. The children greeted them with a warm chant, “Your Majesty, San Paolo school is honored to welcome you!” King Charles, visibly delighted, responded with a compliment about their English, joking, “You have excellent English, better than my Italian,” which brought laughter from the group. He also engaged with them about their studies, playfully asking one boy, “They give you a lot of homework, don’t they? I suspect so.”
The royal visit coincided with the Catholic Church’s “Year of Jubilee,” a milestone event celebrated every 25 years. This visit was particularly significant for the Catholic and Anglican relationship, as King Charles serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Originally, King Charles and Queen Camilla were scheduled to pray with Pope Francis during their visit to Rome in April 2025, but the pope’s declining health led to his passing on April 21. Pope Leo, the new American-born pope, was elected in May 2025 and had previously extended his condolences to the British royal family upon the death of Katharine, Duchess of Kent.
King Charles’ affinity for children is well-known, and during his public duties, he often engages with young people, bringing warmth and genuine interest. In his private life, he shares a particularly close bond with his granddaughter, Princess Charlotte. Royal author Ingrid Seward shared with PEOPLE earlier this year that King Charles had always wanted a daughter and has fostered a special relationship with Charlotte. “I would think he has a very nice relationship with his granddaughter,” Seward said.
Princess Charlotte, now 10, has been described as a “natural” when it comes to royal duties. As her father, Prince William, prepares to accede to the throne, she is gradually taking on more responsibilities and has seamlessly adapted to royal life. A palace insider revealed, “She has taken to royal events like a duck to water,” signaling her growing confidence and readiness for her future role within the royal family.
This visit to the Vatican not only solidified the bond between King Charles and Pope Leo but also showcased the King’s affection for children and his ongoing commitment to public duties that foster goodwill and unity across nations.
Leave a Reply