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VATICAN CITY (AP) \u2014 King Charles III and Queen Camilla prayed Thursday with Pope Leo XIV in an historic visit to the Vatican 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 sexual misconduct allegations against Prince Andrew<\/a>.<\/p>\n Charles, who is the titular head of the Church of England, and Camilla sat in golden thrones on the raised altar of the Sistine Chapel, in front of Michelangelo\u2019s \u201cLast Judgment,\u201d while Leo and the Anglican archbishop of York presided over an ecumenical service.<\/p>\n The event marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches, divided for centuries over issues that now include the ordination of female priests, have prayed together.<\/p>\n The accompanying music reflected the Catholic and Anglican musical heritage: Hymns were sung by members of both the Sistine Chapel choir and visiting members of two royal choirs: the St. George\u2019s Chapel choir of Windsor Castle and the children\u2019s choir of the Chapel Royal of St. James\u2019s Palace.<\/p>\n Respite from scandal<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Photo: <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n The visit comes as the U.K. 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 and Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre<\/a> was published.<\/p>\n The 65-year-old prince has said he will stop using his titles<\/a>, including Duke of York, but has \u201cvigorously\u201d denied Giuffre\u2019s claims. Buckingham Palace and the U.K. government are under pressure to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom and princely title, and kick him out of the 30-room mansion near Windsor Castle where he lives.<\/p>\n Charles\u2019 and Camilla\u2019s visit had actually been planned for earlier this year, but was rescheduled after Pope Francis got sick and then died. Charles had strongly wanted to visit the Vatican during the 2025 Holy Year, a once-every-quarter-century celebration of Christianity.<\/p>\n Step toward unity<\/p>\n Anglicans split from the Catholic Church in 1534 when English King Henry VIII was refused a marriage annulment. While popes for decades have forged warm relations with the Church of England and the broader Anglican Communion on a path toward greater unity, the two churches remain divided.<\/p>\n The Sistine Chapel service, though, marked a historic new step toward unity and included readings and prayers focused on the unifying theme of God the creator. <\/p>\n Later Thursday, Charles traveled to a pontifical basilica that has strong, traditional ties to the Church of England, St. Paul\u2019s Outside the Walls, to receive a new formal recognition. 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 At the basilica, Charles sat in a special chair decorated with his coat of arms, bearing the Latin exhortation \u201cUt Unum Sint\u201d (That they may be one), the mantra for Christian unity. The chair was given to him and will remain in the basilica for Charles and his heirs to use, officials said.<\/p>\n Cardinal Vincent Nichols, the Catholic archbishop of Westminster, said that the king\u2019s visit strengthens the relationship forged by Queen Elizabeth II, who came to Rome six times during her reign, including during the 2000 Holy Year.<\/p>\n \u201cPope Leo and King Charles coming together before God in prayer is an example of a genuine and profound cooperation,\u201d he told The Associated Press. He recalled that Charles accepted his constitutional role as supreme governor of the Church of England, \u201cbut also his role in protecting freedom of religion and the important role of faith in society across his kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla arrive at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport in the outskirts of Rome, Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, a day before their state visit to the Vatican. (Cecilia Fabiano\/ Lapresse via AP)<\/h5>\n