Britain's King Charles III has become the first British monarch in nearly five centuries to pray publicly with a pope, taking part in an ecumenical service led by Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Thursday.
Blending Catholic and Anglican traditions, the service marked a historic step towards closer relations between the two Churches since 1534 when King Henry VIII severed ties with Rome and founded the Church of England.
The 30-minute ceremony, dedicated to prayers for the protection of the environment, was co-officiated by the Archbishop of York alongside the Pope.
Before the service, the 76-year-old monarch, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, met Pope Leo for a private audience, their first meeting since the pontiff succeeded Pope Francis in May.
