Pope & King Pray Together At Sistine Chapel

King Charles III has made history by becoming the first British monarch in five centuries to pray publicly with a pope.

The King joined Pope Leo XIV beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling for a service focused on care for creation, marking a rare moment of unity between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, also took part.

The joint prayer is being hailed as a milestone in improving relations between the British monarchy and the Vatican, strained since Henry VIII’s break with Rome in 1534.

The visit forms part of the Holy Jubilee Year celebrations and is seen as a symbolic gesture of reconciliation.

During the visit, Pope Leo conferred on King Charles and Queen Camilla knighthoods in the Order of Pius IX.

In return, the King named the pontiff a Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, and a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.

The Pope also appointed Charles a Royal Confrater of St Paul’s Basilica, where a special chair bearing the King’s coat of arms will remain permanently.

The King and Queen later attended services and receptions celebrating Christian unity and humanitarian work.

#MaltaDaily