In a moment unseen since the days before the Protestant Reformation, Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III stood side by side beneath Michelangelo’s Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel, joining their voices in prayer for Christian unity and care for creation.
A Meeting 500 Years in the Making
According to Vatican News, the ecumenical prayer marked “a historic moment in Anglican-Catholic relations”, as the reigning British monarch and the Pope prayed together in the heart of the Vatican. The gathering, held on October 23, 2025, was the culmination of King Charles’ official state visit to the Holy See — a visit steeped in symbolism and reconciliation.
The day began with a private meeting between the King and Pope Leo in the Apostolic Palace, followed by midday prayer in the Sistine Chapel. Catholic News Agency reported that the service featured three choirs singing together: the Sistine Chapel Choir, the Lay Clerks of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the Children of the Chapel Royal of St. James’ Palace. They chanted the hymn “Come, Holy Ghost, Who Ever One,” originally written by St. Ambrose and translated into English by St. John Henry Newman, a saint deeply revered by both Churches.
Pope Leo and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, led the faithful in psalms and Scripture readings from the Letter to the Romans, concluding the service with a joint prayer in English.
A New “Royal Confrater” of St. Paul’s
In the afternoon, the Holy Father conferred on King Charles the title of “Royal Confrater of the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls,” a title signifying fraternity and hope for future unity. According to Vatican News, the monarch was seated on a newly commissioned throne inscribed with the words Ut unum sint, “That they may be one” (John 17:21), a phrase that served as the guiding theme of the royal visit.
Cardinal James Michael Harvey, the Archpriest of the Basilica, described the gesture as “a sign of hope” and “a gesture of welcome not only to a sovereign but to a brother.” During the ceremony, Anglican and Catholic leaders read Scripture and offered prayers for peace, for the Church’s pastors, and for the care of creation. The choirs once again sang side by side, blending ancient hymns by Purcell, Byrd, and Palestrina in a moving testament to shared faith and heritage.
An “Ecumenism of Our Common Home”
Father Martin Browne of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity called the day “a further development in the warmth of the relationship between our Churches.” He explained to Vatican News that it had been “500 years since an English King prayed in the same place as a Pope.”
He added that both the Pope and King Charles shared a “spiritual dimension” to their collaboration, especially on the theme of environmental stewardship. The visit, originally planned under Pope Francis to honor the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, was embraced by Pope Leo XIV, who continues to advocate for the care of creation.
“There is a huge amount of common ground,” Father Browne noted, “of shared faith, of shared spiritual tradition.” He described this cooperation as an “ecumenism of our common home”, uniting Christians across traditions in their call to protect God’s creation.
A Legacy of Unity and Faith
The day’s hymns and prayers reflected that unity, none more fitting than “Praise to the Holiest in the Height,” taken from Newman’s The Dream of Gerontius. As both Vatican News and CNA noted, the English saint’s legacy continues to serve as a bridge between Anglican and Catholic faith traditions. Pope Leo will declare St. John Henry Newman a Doctor of the Church on November 1, a fitting tribute during this renewed season of ecumenical friendship.
As the Sistine Chapel’s organ resounded and Pope Leo walked beside King Charles toward the chapel’s great doors, the sight symbolized more than ceremony; it was a gesture of communion.
In a world often marked by division, this day stood as a living echo of Christ’s prayer: “That they may be one.”
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