Historic Meeting: King Charles III to Pray with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican

King Charles III is poised to make history this Thursday as he meets Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican, marking the first occasion in over 500 years that a British monarch will publicly pray alongside a pontiff since the separation of the Church of England from Catholicism. Arriving in Rome with Queen Camilla, Charles, who is also the leader of the Anglican Church, is scheduled to engage in a private meeting with the Pope at the Apostolic Palace. This encounter is particularly significant, as it represents the first meeting between the monarch and the newly appointed pontiff since Leo's ascension to the papacy earlier this year. Following their private discussion, King Charles and Queen Camilla will participate in a service held in the Sistine Chapel, which will be led by Pope Leo XIV himself, alongside the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. This historic event reinforces the ongoing dialogue between the Anglican and Catholic Churches and showcases a modern spirit of reconciliation between the two denominations. As such, it highlights the increasing importance of interfaith relations in an ever-changing world. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2