- King Charles III and Pope Leo prayed together inside the Sistine Chapel for the first time since the 1534 split under King Henry VIII.
- The event marked a major step toward unity between the Anglican and Catholic Churches.
- The King received an honorary title, “Royal Confrater,” at St. Paul’s Basilica.
- Both leaders emphasised reconciliation and shared faith in a divided world.
For the first time since King Henry VIII cut ties with Rome nearly 500 years ago, a British monarch and a Catholic pope have shared a moment of prayer.
On Thursday, King Charles III joined Pope Leo inside the Sistine Chapel, the same sacred room where the American-born Pope was elected just six months earlier. Beneath Michelangelo’s stunning masterpiece, The Last Judgment, the two leaders prayed together in a scene many have called historic, a sign of reconciliation after centuries of division.
The joint service, attended by Queen Camilla and senior church leaders from both sides, has been described as a “healing of history.”
“This would have been impossible just a generation ago,” said Rev. James Hawkey, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey. “It represents how far our churches have come through decades of dialogue.”
Archbishop Stephen Cottrell led the Anglican delegation on behalf of Sarah Mullally, who is set to become the first woman Archbishop of Canterbury next year.
The Church of England’s separation from Rome began in 1534, when Pope Clement VII refused to annul King Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon. That decision sparked the English Reformation a turbulent era that left deep wounds between Catholics and Protestants.
Over the following centuries, both sides lived through persecution, mistrust, and rivalry. But Thursday’s service marked a turn toward cooperation and unity instead of conflict.
After the service, King Charles and Pope Leo held a private meeting before heading to St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the holiest Catholic basilicas. There, the King was named “Royal Confrater” (Royal Brother) and given a beautifully carved wooden seat engraved with his royal coat of arms and the Latin phrase “Ut unum sint” meaning “That they may be one.”
“These gestures show the commitment both our churches have to working for a shared future,” said Bishop Anthony Ball, the Anglican representative to the Vatican.
In return, Pope Leo will receive two British honours: Papal Confrater of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, among the UK’s highest distinctions.
The Anglican Communion, with 85 million members, and the Catholic Church, with 1.4 billion followers, have been rebuilding their relationship since the 1960s through constant dialogue and cooperation.
Thursday’s service went beyond religious symbolism. It reflected a shared message of peace, unity, and hope in a world often divided by politics and faith.
As King Charles and Pope Leo prayed beneath the Sistine Chapel’s painted ceiling, the moment carried more than history; it carried the message that even centuries-old walls can fall when faith meets reconciliation.
