Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III shared a historic day at the Vatican on October 23, marking a new chapter in Anglican-Catholic relations. The visit, which included Queen Camilla, united faith and friendship through prayer and dialogue, with a focus on care for creation.

The Holy Father received the King in a private audience at the Apostolic Palace before the two participated in an ecumenical prayer service in the Sistine Chapel. Later that day, the celebration continued at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where King Charles was formally made a Royal Confrater of Saint Paul. This title recalls the pre-Reformation tradition when English monarchs were regarded as protectors of the basilica.

Father Martin Browne, a Benedictine monk serving in the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, said the moment was historically significant, as no English monarch had prayed alongside a pope since before the Reformation. The King’s new chair in the basilica bears both his royal coat of arms and the Latin inscription “Ut unum sint” — “That they may be one” — a reminder of Christ’s prayer for unity among His followers.

As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, King Charles sought to bring a spiritual dimension to his state visit. Father Browne explained that both leaders desired to make visible the closeness that already exists between their communions, even as theological differences remain. Their collaboration reflects a shared witness of faith and a mutual respect that has deepened over recent decades.

Both liturgies of the day highlighted the life and writings of St. John Henry Newman, a figure cherished by Catholics and Anglicans alike. Newman’s hymns were featured in the prayers, symbolizing his lifelong journey of faith across both traditions. His canonization in 2019, attended by then-Prince Charles, was itself a sign of spiritual convergence between the Churches.

Environmental stewardship was another unifying theme. The Vatican events originally coincided with the 10th anniversary of Laudato si’, the encyclical on care for creation, and both Pope Leo and King Charles emphasized its enduring call. Father Browne described this shared concern as an “ecumenism of our common home,” a witness that transcends doctrinal boundaries to promote the safeguarding of God’s creation.

Through prayer, fellowship, and a shared mission for peace and care for the world, the encounter between Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III confirmed the growing closeness between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion — a closeness rooted not in politics, but in the Gospel’s call to unity.