Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III Make Historic Prayer in Sistine Chapel

Vatican city: Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III, who serves as the head of the Anglican Church, made history by praying together in the Sistine Chapel. This event marks the first time a British monarch has prayed in public with a pontiff since the Church of England’s split from Catholicism five centuries ago.

According to Ansa News Agency, the prayer occurred during an ecumenical service led by Pope Leo XIV and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. Queen Camilla stood beside King Charles during the service. The event featured psalms sung by the Sistine choir, joined by the choir of St. George’s Chapel of Windsor Castle and the children’s choir of the Royal Chapel of St. James Palace.

Before the service, King Charles, who arrived in Rome on Wednesday, held a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV at the Apostolic Palace. This meeting was their first encounter since Leo became pope earlier this year.