King Charles III and Queen Camilla exiting the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls following the ceremony which awarded the King the title of "Royal Confrater", held on 23 October 2025
During this visit, Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III prayed together. This marked the first time a Pope and a King of England prayed together since the last 500 years.[1]
Background
The King and Queen had originally planned to undertake a state visit to the Holy See in April 2025, alongside their state visit to the Italian Republic. However, due to the declining health of Pope Francis, the Vatican portion was reduced to a small private visit at his bedside. Francis died shortly afterwards, before a longer visit could be arranged.[2]
The rescheduled visit in October will be the first time the King has met Pope Leo XIV, who was elected in May as the 267th successor of St Peter. Buckingham Palace said the trip would “celebrate the ecumenical work by the Church of England and the Catholic Church, reflecting the jubilee year’s theme of walking together as pilgrims of hope”.[3]
Visit
22 October
The King and Queen were formally welcomed by representatives from the Holy See at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport on Wednesday evening.[4]
On 23 October 2025, the King and Queen had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace. [5]During the meeting, the King appointed Pope Leo an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, and the Pope in turn awarded the Order of Pope Pius IX, Charles becoming a Knight with Collar and Camilla a Dame Grand Cross.[6]Later, the King and Pope Leo XIV prayed together during an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England in a celebration of ecumenism.[7]
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