Historic Unity: King Charles and Pope Leo's Joint Prayer Marks Milestone in Anglican-Catholic Relations

King Charles, as the supreme governor of the Church of England, recently participated in a significant interfaith moment with Pope Leo at the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.

The unprecedented joint prayer between the British monarch and the Catholic pontiff represents a milestone in the healing relationship between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, which have been separated for nearly five centuries.

This historic meeting marks the first time an English monarch and a Catholic pope have worshipped together since the English Reformation of 1534, when King Henry VIII severed ties with Rome. The Catholic Herald described this occasion as "a genuine step forward in Christian unity rather than a matter of state formality."

During the service, King Charles was seated to the left of Pope Leo near the altar, while the pope and Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell led the prayers. The event's significance extends beyond this moment of shared worship.

Following the prayer service, King Charles visited Rome's Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, one of Catholicism's four most revered churches. There, Pope Leo conferred upon him the new title of "Royal Confrater," or brother, at the associated abbey.

As part of this recognition, the king received a special wooden chair decorated with his coat of arms and the ecumenical phrase "Ut unum sint" (That they may be one). This seat, placed in the apse of the basilica, will be reserved exclusively for future British monarchs.

The significance of this joint worship cannot be overstated in the context of church history. The English Reformation occurred when Pope Clement VII refused to annul Henry VIII's marriage to Catherine of Aragon, prompting Henry to break with Rome primarily to secure a male heir through his marriage to Anne Boleyn.

In the aftermath of this split, the Church of England embraced most Protestant Reformation principles. While the Catholic Church and Anglican Communion share many theological positions, important differences persist between them.

Following the schism, Catholics in Britain faced centuries of discrimination, being denied rights and viewed with suspicion due to their allegiance to the pope. It wasn't until 1829 that an act of parliament permitted Catholics to hold high office or enter parliament. More recently, in 2013, the 300-year prohibition on the heir to the throne marrying a Catholic was finally abolished.

King Charles has consistently demonstrated his commitment to interfaith dialogue throughout his life, regularly meeting with leaders from various religions. In 1994, he expressed his desire to be known as "Defender of Faith" rather than the traditional "Defender of the Faith," which caused some controversy given his role as head of the Church of England.

The Anglican Communion, which includes the Church of England, comprises 46 autonomous churches across approximately 165 countries worldwide.

British monarchs continue to hold "Defender of the Faith" in their official title—ironically, a designation that Henry VIII received from the pope before breaking with Rome.

Shortly after ascending to the throne in September 2022, King Charles affirmed his respect for those following different spiritual paths and those living according to secular ideals, reinforcing his commitment to religious tolerance and unity.