Pope Leo to Host King Charles at the Vatican Amidst Looming Prince Andrew Scandal

King Charles III is set to make a historic visit to the Vatican, marking the first time in 500 years that a British monarch will pray with a pope. This significant event occurs amidst ongoing challenges related to the Prince Andrew scandal.

Significant Royal Visit to the Vatican

On Thursday, King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet Pope Leo XIV for the first time since his election in May. Their arrival in Rome on Wednesday evening coincides with the celebration of the holy Jubilee year, which occurs every quarter-century. Upon landing at Ciampino Airport, they were welcomed by a delegation that included the UK’s Ambassador to the Holy See.

Historic Ecumenical Service

The royal couple will participate in an ecumenical service under the stunning ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michelangelo. This moment is a significant gesture, symbolizing the deepening bonds between Catholics and Anglicans, and has not occurred since at least the Reformation. The service will focus on care for creation, an important topic for both the King and Pope Leo.

• The service will be led by Pope Leo and Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York.
• It serves to strengthen the long-standing divisions between the British monarchy and the papacy, which date back to 1534.
• This visit marks the first royal engagement with an ecumenical dimension, aimed at fostering unity among Christian denominations.

Rev. Martin Browne, a Vatican official, emphasized the rarity of such a joint service, stating, “A service where both the Pope and a British sovereign participate has not been experienced since long before the Reformation.”

Celebration at St. Paul’s Basilica

Following the Sistine Chapel service, the King and Queen will attend another ecumenical service at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. This basilica holds historical ties to the English Crown and is the burial site of St. Paul. In recognition of their visit, Pope Leo has appointed King Charles as a “Royal Confrater” of St. Paul’s, symbolizing hospitality and spiritual goodwill.

• A special throne-like chair has been commissioned for the King, displaying his coat of arms and the Latin motto “Ut unum sint,” which translates to “That they may be one.”
• The chair will remain in the basilica for future use by successors.
• Pope Leo will also bestow honors upon the King and Queen, including titles of knight and dame of the Order of Pius IX.

Conclusion of the State Visit

The state visit will conclude with a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary for training priests from the Commonwealth. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla is scheduled to meet six Catholic sisters from the International Union of Superiors General, focusing on female empowerment and education worldwide.

Despite some historical tensions, the relationship between the Vatican and the British monarchy is currently characterized by warmth and respect. Full diplomatic relations have existed between the UK and the Holy See since 1982. Although a previous planned visit was postponed due to Pope Francis’ health, this trip symbolizes a new chapter in their relations, reinforcing the idea that what unites them is of greater significance than their differences.

Diarmaid MacCulloch, a church historian, commented on the visit’s impact, noting that while some hype surrounds the event, it represents a meaningful gesture from the Vatican towards King Charles.