Pray together to stay together: King Charles meets Pope Leo XIV in historic public show of unity

King Charles III has become the first head of the Anglican church to pray in public with a Pope in a move aimed at forging closer ties between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.

The historic meeting is highly significant and symbolic as it comes almost half a century since the Reformation - the Church of England's split from the Vatican.

For centuries the two Christian churches have been divided over many issues, but this trip is thought unlikely to lead to a meeting of minds on matters such as the ordination of female priests.

In a ceremony which took place at the Sistine Chapel, the King and Queen Camilla sat in golden thrones on the raised altar in front of Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment,” while Pope Leo XIV and the Anglican archbishop of York presided over an ecumenical service.

The accompanying music reflected a shared Anglican and Catholic musical heritage. Hymns were sung by members of both the Sistine Chapel choir and visiting members of two royal choirs: the St. George’s Chapel choir of Windsor Castle and the children’s choir of the Chapel Royal of St. James’s Palace.

Charles and Camilla’s visit and exchange of titles had actually been planned for earlier this year but was rescheduled after Pope Francis got sick and then died. Charles had strongly wanted to visit the Vatican during the 2025 Holy Year, a once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.

Divorce and distraction

Anglicans split from the Catholic Church in 1534 when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment.

While popes for decades have forged warm relations with the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion on a path toward greater unity, the two churches remain at loggerheads.

Both churches hope however that the Sistine Chapel service will herald a new era of cooperation and solidarity with its focus on the unifying theme of God the creator.

Charles will also formally receive a new title and recognition at a pontifical basilica that has strong, traditional ties to the Church of England, St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. The title "Royal Confrater” is a sign of spiritual fellowship and was reciprocated by Charles: Leo was given the title of “Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.”

The British Royal Family will also be hoping this visit distracts from a domestic affair that's led to calls for Charles's brother Prince Andrew to be formally stripped of his title following revelations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Last week, following talks with Charles, Andrew agreed on Friday to stop using titles including Duke of York after years of denials about his links with Epstein, in order to protect the family.

But, his lack of recognition for Epstein's victims has seen him receive further criticism, along with the fact that he still technically holds the title of duke, bestowed by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II. And as the son of a monarch, he remains a prince.