King Charles and Pope Leo Pray Together—A Historic First

A Historic Prayer in the Sistine Chapel
Why This Moment Matters
Charles’s Vision for Interfaith Unity
Pope Leo XIV’s Role in Christian Reconciliation
Divisions That Remain
Shared Causes: Climate and Compassion
Sources

King Charles and Pope Leo Pray Together in Groundbreaking Moment

In a historic first, King Charles III and Pope Leo XIV prayed together publicly inside the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, October 23, 2025—marking the first time a reigning British monarch and a Catholic pontiff have engaged in joint public prayer.

The ecumenical service, held beneath Michelangelo’s famed frescoes, symbolized a dramatic thaw in relations between the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches, which split nearly 500 years ago under King Henry VIII.

Why This Moment Matters

For centuries, the Church of England and the Vatican maintained formal but distant ties. Queen Elizabeth II met multiple popes during her 70-year reign but never participated in a shared prayer service. This breakthrough under King Charles signals a new chapter in Christian unity.

“That they may be one”—Ut unum sint—was inscribed on a specially designed royal chair gifted by the Vatican, echoing Christ’s prayer for unity among believers.

King Charles’s Lifelong Push for Interfaith Dialogue

Long before ascending the throne, Charles championed religious inclusivity. In 1994, he famously reimagined his future role not just as “Defender of the Faith” but as “defender of faith”—a subtle but significant shift acknowledging Britain’s growing religious diversity.

Since becoming king in 2022, he has visited Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, and Buddhist communities, and even danced the hora at a Hanukkah celebration. His coronation in 2023 included leaders from multiple world religions.

Pope Leo XIV Embraces Ecumenical Outreach

Pope Leo XIV, elected earlier this year following the death of Pope Francis, has continued his predecessor’s emphasis on dialogue. The joint prayer service was organized by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

“It’s a sign of our closeness and willingness to see one another as brothers and sisters despite differences,” said Reverend Martin Browne of the Vatican department.

Deep Divisions Still Exist

Despite the symbolic unity, theological rifts remain. The Catholic Church does not ordain women, while the Church of England recently appointed its first female archbishop, Sarah Mullally—though she has not yet been formally installed.

Other differences include clerical celibacy, LGBTQ+ clergy, and rules around divorce and remarriage. Experts say these won’t be resolved soon—but don’t need to be for cooperation to grow.

“We don’t have to change each other,” said Yale Divinity School’s Rev. Andrew McGowan. “You know where everybody stands… the effort is to see where we can work together.”

Climate Change: A Common Mission

Both leaders share deep concern for the environment. The visit coincided with the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s landmark encyclical Laudato Si’. Pope Leo has echoed those calls, warning that climate change disproportionately harms the poor.

King Charles, a longtime environmental advocate, has called rising carbon emissions an “existential threat” to humanity—a stance that aligns closely with the Vatican’s current priorities.