King Charles to pray publicly with pope in historic Vatican visit

Published: 17 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

King Charles will become the first reigning English monarch in nearly 500 years to pray publicly with a pope during his state visit to the Holy See next week, marking a historic moment in relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. The unprecedented gesture will see Charles join Pope Leo XIV for an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel on 22–23 October, accompanied by the queen. The event is being hailed as a significant step in the ongoing dialogue between the two churches, reflecting decades of gradual rapprochement following centuries of religious division.

The royal visit also includes a trip to the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, a site with deep historical connections to the English crown dating back to Saxon rulers such as King Offa and King Æthelwulf. These monarchs supported the upkeep of St Paul the Apostle’s tomb within the papal basilica, highlighting a long-standing, though intermittent, relationship between English royalty and the Vatican. During the visit, King Charles will receive the title of “royal confrater” at the pope’s invitation—a recognition of spiritual fellowship that acknowledges the king’s decades-long commitment to fostering dialogue and unity among faiths.

A special seat has been created for King Charles in the basilica, adorned with the royal coat of arms. He will use the chair during the ecumenical service, after which it will remain permanently in the apse of the basilica as a lasting symbol of mutual respect between the pope and the English monarch. This historic gesture underlines both the spiritual and diplomatic significance of the visit, which represents continuity in efforts to bridge gaps between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson emphasised the significance of the event, stating, “This will be the first state visit, since the Reformation, where the pope and the monarch will pray together in an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, and the first time the monarch will have attended a service in St Paul’s Outside the Walls, a church with an historic connection to the English crown.” The Palace highlighted that the visit is as much a symbolic gesture of reconciliation as it is a diplomatic engagement.

The Church of England, while noting the historic tensions between the English state and the papacy, said that the king’s public prayer with the pope reflects a continuing search for unity. A spokesperson for the church remarked that the royal confrater title “whilst it confers no duties or obligations on the king and makes no changes whatsoever to the formal constitutional and ecclesiastical position of his majesty as supreme governor of the Church of England, is a tribute to his majesty and to his own work over many decades to find common ground between faiths and to bring people together.”

The visit also carries significant diplomatic weight. A UK Foreign Office spokesperson stated that, “At a time of global instability and conflict, the UK’s relationship with the Holy See is more important than ever – and this historic state visit will be a key moment to strengthen this relationship.” The Vatican has increasingly engaged in international diplomacy, and the king’s visit is intended to reinforce shared values while highlighting the UK’s commitment to interfaith dialogue.

Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch since the Reformation to make an official visit to the Holy See in 1961, setting a precedent for royal engagement with the Vatican. King Charles’ visit, however, is unique in that it involves the active participation of a reigning monarch in an ecumenical service alongside the pope—a public act of prayer that carries both spiritual and symbolic significance.

Observers have noted that the king’s decision to accept the title of royal confrere and participate in a shared prayer service is the culmination of decades of personal engagement in interfaith initiatives. Throughout his public life, Charles has promoted dialogue and understanding among different religious communities, advocating for respect, reconciliation, and cooperation. His actions during the Vatican visit will reinforce this longstanding commitment while demonstrating the Church of England’s willingness to engage constructively with the Catholic Church.

The planned service in the Sistine Chapel is being meticulously prepared to reflect both liturgical traditions, ensuring that it remains respectful to Catholic ritual while allowing the monarch to participate fully. Vatican officials have described the service as a “symbolic and ecumenical moment,” highlighting the significance of shared prayer in bridging centuries-old divisions. The king’s role as supreme governor of the Church of England underscores the historic importance of his participation, as it represents a rare and meaningful moment of unity between the two faiths.

The visit also includes discussions on global issues, reflecting the broader diplomatic dimensions of the engagement. By meeting with Pope Leo XIV and other Vatican officials, the king and queen will explore areas of mutual concern, including interfaith collaboration, humanitarian efforts, and the promotion of peace and stability. This approach demonstrates that the visit is not only ceremonial but also focused on practical cooperation between the United Kingdom and the Holy See.

For centuries, relations between the English crown and the papacy have been marked by conflict and estrangement, beginning with Henry VIII’s break from Rome in 1534. The Reformation set in motion a long period of tension, mistrust, and at times hostility between England and the Catholic Church. While diplomatic and religious relations have gradually improved over the past century, King Charles’ public prayer with the pope represents the first instance in nearly 500 years in which a reigning English monarch has openly participated in a shared service with the leader of the Catholic Church.

The royal visit underscores the continuing evolution of interfaith dialogue in the modern era. By creating spaces for shared spiritual reflection and mutual respect, the visit highlights the potential for reconciliation and cooperation between religious institutions historically divided by theology and politics. King Charles’ engagement with the Vatican reinforces the symbolic and practical importance of building bridges, fostering understanding, and promoting peace in an increasingly interconnected world.

As preparations for the state visit continue, both Buckingham Palace and the Holy See have stressed the careful planning and significance of the events. The creation of the royal confrater seat, the ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, and the visit to St Paul Outside the Walls together constitute a series of gestures designed to celebrate shared heritage, spiritual fellowship, and ongoing dialogue between the United Kingdom and the Vatican.

This landmark visit is expected to resonate beyond the immediate religious community, sending a powerful message about the importance of interfaith engagement, reconciliation, and the role of the monarchy in fostering diplomacy and understanding. It is likely to be remembered as a historic milestone in the centuries-long journey of relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.