Charles III and Pope Leo XIV pray together

A historic first: King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV prayed together this Thursday, October 23. It was the first time that the highest officials of the Church of England and the Catholic Church had prayed side by side since the 1534 split that resulted in the creation of Anglicanism.

Organized in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, this time of prayer saw the pope and the king each seated in an armchair under the famous fresco of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. This ecumenical prayer placed at its heart the preservation of Creation, a cause for which the King of England is known to be personally committed.

The King and Queen, accompanied by Pope Leo, have attended a special service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England, in a celebration of ecumenism.

📸Vatican Media pic.twitter.com/QaxRVNj3B5

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 23, 2025

According to a press release from the Holy See, the question of the environment was also addressed during the various meetings of Charles III with the Pope and officials of the Secretariat of State, which preceded the moment of prayer.

“The two sides praised the existing good bilateral relations and addressed issues of common interest, such as environmental protection and the fight against poverty,” the statement said. Particular attention was paid to the common commitment to peace and security in the face of global challenges.”

“Finally, recalling the history of the Church in the United Kingdom, a common reflection took place on the need to continue the promotion of ecumenical dialogue,” reports the Vatican.