The first time in 500 years. The “special ecumenical service” dedicated to the theme of “care for creation” which, in the Sistine Chapel, sees Pope Leo and King Charles side by side is historic. Since the time of the schism a Pope and a sovereign had not prayed together. The meditation was accompanied by texts, in English and Latin, focused on the theme of God the creator and on hope. These are psalms and readings taken from Saint Ambrose and Saint John Henry Newman, former Anglican who converted to Catholicism and who will be proclaimed Doctor of the Church on November 1st. Relations between Anglicans and Catholics have been growing since the time of John Paul II who first received Queen Elizabeth in 1980 and then, in 1982, recognized the first embassy to the Holy See. King Charles, during the years of Francis’ papacy, gradually became closer, above all due to their shared commitment to the environment. Commitment also recognized by Pope Leo who, precisely on this issue, received him in the Vatican. Not only that, as a sign of mutual esteem, Charles will be awarded the title of “Royal Confrater” of the Abbey and Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, while Pope Leo XIV will be given the title of “Papal Confrater” of St. George’s Chapel, in Windsor Castle. An exchange of titles that testifies to a spiritual communion and a path towards unity that the Church of England (of which Charles is “Supreme Governor”) and the Roman Catholic Church are pursuing.
Accompanying Charles and Camilla on their visit to the Vatican and in prayer was the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, the second most important position in the English Church after the Archbishop of Canterbury. The new archbishop, in fact, Sarah Mullally, appointed last October 3, will take possession of the archdiocese in March 2026.
Before the ecumenical prayer, while Camilla visited the Apostolic Palace, King Charles and Pope Leo had a conversation in the private library. Before going to the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura, King Carlo takes part in the Sala Regia and meets personalities, associations and companies involved in the protection of our common home.
