History was made in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel this October 23, as King Charles and Pope Leo prayed side by side—the first such act of shared worship between an English monarch and a pope in nearly 500 years.
The event marked a symbolic moment of unity between the Anglican and Catholic churches, whose divide dates back to King Henry VIII’s break from Rome in 1534.
Seated beside Pope Leo, King Charles joined in English and Latin prayers led by Leo and Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, accompanied by the Sistine Chapel Choir and royal choristers.
The service underscored Charles’ longstanding commitment to interfaith dialogue. Though he has met three previous popes, none of those encounters included a joint act of worship. Earlier in the day, Charles and Queen Camilla shared a private audience with Pope Leo at the Vatican.
Click through this gallery for a look back at iconic meetings between popes and public figures—moments where faith, diplomacy, and history converged.