What does the meeting between Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III mean for Christian unity? Marianne Rozario unpacks the significance of this state visit. 23/10/2025
In a time marked by polarisation and division, an act of unity could be the antidote. That surely is a hope from today’s historic event between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, for today was the first time a Pope and a British monarch publicly prayed together.
King Charles III, as head of state but most significantly as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, accompanied by Queen Camilla, have made a two–day state visit to the Holy See. The King privately met with Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican today marking their first meeting, with reportedly two central themes being discussed: Christian unity and care for creation.[i]
The King then joined the Pope in the Sistine Chapel for an ecumenical prayer service – the Supreme Governor of the Church of England and the head of the Catholic Church praying together in a public display of ‘unity’. It was the first public joint prayer service between a Pope and a British monarch in over 500 years, since the Reformation in the 16th century when Henry VIII broke from the Catholic Church. They were joined by clergy and choirs from both Churches, with the Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell (the Primate and most senior cleric in the Church of England ahead of the enthronement of Sarah Mullaly as Archbishop of Canterbury next year) joining the Pope in leading the prayers.
There were also an exchange of titles and a visit to the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of the Four Major Papal Basilicas, which has a historic connection to England’s monarchy whereby previous kings of England were recognised as ‘protectors’ of the Basilica and abbey.[ii] King Charles received a Papal knighthood, and the King made Pope Leo a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath.[iii] The King became a “Royal Confrater” of the adjoining Benedictine abbey in recognition of his ecumenical efforts, and the Pope became “Papal Confrater” of St George’s Chapel in Windsor. The King also received a seat, engraved with his coat of arms and a verse from the Gospel of St John in Latin ‘Ut unum sint’ (That they may be one). The chair will remain in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls for Charles and his heirs to use on future visits.[iv]
The visit holds deep historic resonance. From Henry VIII’s declaration as the supreme head of the Church of England in 1534 breaking from the Catholic Church, the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536, and the subsequent persecution of Catholics in England, today’s event is monumental, albeit the groundwork had been laid over many decades. The Catholic Church and the Church of England – including through successive monarchs – have been improving their ties especially in the last decades through many local and national ecumenical efforts. In 1980, Queen Elizabeth II became the first British monarch to make a state visit to the Vatican, and she welcomed both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI in state visits to the UK. For his part, the King has shown concerted efforts of an ecumenical nature. However, this visit marks the strongest steps of ecumenism yet taken between the two denominations. A complete reconciliation between the two Churches is still a long way off, but as a display of ‘unity’ in a fractured world, a powerful message was conveyed.
‘Unity’ is not a word many would describe of today’s world. We see more division and fracturing in politics, society and culture at large. However, through this visit and ecumenical service today, the Church is reminding us that division need not tear us apart, and we should live in hope ‘that they may be one’.
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