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VATICAN CITY — <\/span>VATICAN CITY (AP) \u2014 Britain\u2019s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrived at the Vatican on Thursday for a historic visit to forge closer relations<\/a> between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, a welcome spiritual respite for the royals from the turmoil at home over the Epstein sex scandal.<\/a><\/p>\n Charles, who is the titular head of the Church of England, arrived with Camilla in a St. Peter\u2019s Square that had been nearly emptied by security forces. The king and queen had an audience with Pope Leo XIV, their first since his election in May.<\/p>\n The highlight of the visit was to be a midday prayer service in the Sistine Chapel that marks the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches will pray together. The Catholic Church and Church of England have been divided for centuries over issues that include the ordination of female priests and LGBTQ+ faithful.<\/p>\n During the visit to Rome, Charles was also to formally receive a new title and recognition at a pontifical basilica that has strong, traditional ties to the Church of England, St. Paul\u2019s Outside the Walls. The title \u201cRoyal Confrater\u201d is a sign of spiritual fellowship and was reciprocated by Charles: Leo was given the title of \u201cPapal Confrater of St George\u2019s Chapel, Windsor Castle.\u201d<\/p>\n The visit comes as the British royal family is once again under intense scrutiny<\/a> over Prince Andrew\u2019s ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The scandal that has long dogged the king\u2019s brother was reignited this week after a memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre<\/a> was published.<\/p>\n