History was made in Vatican city on Thursday when King Charles III prayed alongside Pope Leo, marking the first time a head of the Church of England has done so publicly with the pontiff since the faith’s break from Rome nearly five centuries ago.
The meeting, held inside the Sistine Chapel, carried deep symbolism, not just for Britain’s monarchy and the Catholic Church, but for the wider world of interfaith relations.
Dressed in formal attire and accompanied by Queen Camilla, the King appeared visibly moved during the short service. Observers described the moment as ‘quiet but profound’ as the two men bowed their heads together in prayer beneath Michelangelo’s frescoed ceiling.
“The power of faith lies not in division, but in our shared humanity. This moment is one of reflection and reconciliation,” King Charles said later in a statement released by Buckingham Palace.
Pope Leo, the first American pontiff, elected only five months ago, spoke warmly of the King’s long-standing commitment to interfaith dialogue.
“We pray for peace between nations, and understanding between faiths, a sign of hope for a divided world,” he said.
Before the prayer, the two leaders held a private audience lasting about 30 minutes, followed by an exchange of gifts. The King presented the Pope with a carved wooden cross made from a fallen oak on the Sandringham estate. In return, Pope Leo gifted the monarch a small mosaic depicting St. Francis of Assisi, a nod to the King’s environmental advocacy.
The visit came at a time for the British royal family, with renewed public scrutiny over Prince Andrew’s affairs. Palace aides, however, stressed that the Vatican meeting was “entirely focused on faith and diplomacy,” and not overshadowed by domestic issues.
The encounter underscores the King’s lifelong mission to bridge faiths. As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, Charles has often spoken of the need for mutual respect among religions. During his coronation in 2023, he invited leaders from multiple faiths, including Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, and Sikhism, to take part in the ceremony, breaking centuries of tradition.
Religious historians say Thursday’s joint prayer will be remembered as a turning point.
“It is hard to overstate how powerful that image is, a British monarch and a Pope praying together under the same roof,” said Dr. Eleanor Grant, a church historian at Oxford University.
“It speaks to the slow healing of a centuries-old divide.” he added.
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