King Charles has made history by becoming the first British monarch to publicly pray with a pope in more than 500 years, since Henry VIII’s split from the Roman Catholic Church.
The service happened in the Sistine Chapel alongside Pope Leo XIV on Thursday, as part of King Charles and Queen Camilla’s state visit to the Vatican.
Queen Elizabeth II met with several popes during her seven-decade reign, but never publicly prayed with any of them.
The visit is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally, and will celebrate the Papal Jubilee, which is held every 25 years.
Charles and Camilla arrived in Rome on Wednesday evening and were greeted by Pope Leo at his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, on Thursday ahead of the historic event.
