For the first time in history, a pontiff and a British monarch prayed side by side. Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III joined in prayer during a solemn service in the Sistine Chapel, broadcast live by Vatican media.
The event marks a moment of strong symbolic value in the relations between the Catholic Church and the monarchy of the United Kingdom. As sovereign, Charles III is the supreme ruler of the Church of England, established over five centuries ago by Henry VIII after his separation from Rome.
The ceremony in the Sistine Chapel, the spiritual and artistic heart of the Vatican, represents a historic step in ecumenical dialogue and religious diplomacy between London and the Holy See.
