Everything you need to know about King Charles’ historically monumental meeting with Pope Leo

King Charles will begin his two-day state visit to Rome today, where the highlight is bound to be his joint act of worship with Pope Leo XIV.

Accompanied by Queen Camilla, the King is set to become the first British monarch to pray with a head of the Catholic Church, 500 years since the Reformation.

According to Buckingham Palace, “His Majesty is greatly looking forward to meeting Pope Leo and celebrating together the historical significance of this visit, representing, as it does, such a landmark in relationships between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, and between the UK and the Holy See.”

A unifying journey

The significance of the latest state visit owes largely to the fact that it is a monumental unification between the Catholic Church and the Church of England — marking the apparent end of a separation which transpired five centuries ago.

An official statement from the Palace revealed, “As supreme governor of the Church of England, the King is proud that this week’s state visit stands as a symbol and a celebration of how far we have come on that unifying journey.”

While an era of “global challenge” was highlighted as the backdrop for the needs of “Christian communities around the world to unite in faith and in fellowship”.

“This provides a bulwark against those promoting conflict, division and tyranny, and supports our work together in harmony to protect nature, God’s creation,” the statement added.

Itinerary

During the visit, the King will travel to the Papal Basilica and is further set to participate in the Papal Jubilee, a time which marks forgiveness and reconciliation with faith.

At the service scheduled at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls, “a special seat” awaits his majesty, per The Telegraph. The symbolic chair, called the seat of a Benedictine Abbey, “will remain at the place of worship for use by his successors.”

While he will further be recognised as the Royal Confrator of the convent, a title which dates back to “centuries past”, when the “monarchs provided for the upkeep of the tomb of St Paul at the basilica.”

The tour will conclude with the King’s attendance at a reception for the Pontifical Beda College, “a seminary training priests from across the Commonwealth”. While Queen Camilla will make a separate visit to meet six Catholic Sisters from the International Union of Superiors General.

Royal media cycle

It is pertinent to note that during the ongoing state visit, King Charles is undertaking a highly publicised ordeal following the equally significant scandal back home — the withdrawal of Prince Andrew’s royal titles amid mounting revelations and speculations from the time of his notorious association with convicted sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein.

The Telegraph further noted, “The palace hopes the visit will change the royal media cycle, drawing attention away from the Prince Andrew scandal.”

While Charles remains “under public pressure to take further action against his younger brother”, as the surrender of his titles, pertaining to the Dukedom of York and the Order of the Garter, is not deemed a consequence serious enough for his alleged crimes nor is it a legal development.