King Charles prays alongside Pope Leo: Historic union marks ‘celebration of ecumenism’

King Charles has finally offered prayers alongside Pope Leo XIV, marking the union between the Church of England and the Catholic Church after 500 years.

While new portraits of the King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, from the Vatican state visit are published by the royal family on Instagram.

“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,” the account’s caption revealed.

For the unversed, ecumenism is a concept which promotes unity among various Catholic churches and factions. The Telegraph reported that Charles “has become the first monarch to take part in an ecumenical service with a Pope since the Reformation.”

Moreover, the two sovereigns also exchanged presents, with the King presenting the Supreme Pontiff with an icon of St Edward the Confessor and “as per royal custom on state visits”, a large silver photograph.

“The Pope gave the King a signed photograph of himself and a scale version of the mosaic of ‘Christ Pantocrator’ in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalù, in Sicily, which had been made in the Vatican,” it was further noted.

While King Charles and Pope Leo’s joint prayer said, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore”. It concluded with an “amen” from the monarch.