The King has made history by praying alongside Pope Leo XIV, becoming the first British monarch to do so since the Reformation. Charles sat alongside the Queen to the Pope's left during an ecumenical service led by the Pontiff and the Archbishop of York, the most Reverend Stephen Cottrell, beneath Michaelangelo's masterpiece on the ceiling of the magnificent Sistine Chapel. The King and the congregation joined in responses to prayers said by both faith leaders at the end of the service.
The Pope said: "God our father, you have created the heavens and Earth. You made us in your own image. Teach us to see your hand in all your works and your likeness in all your children." The monarch joined in the response: "Amen".
Choirs from the Chapel Royal and St George's Chapel, Windsor sang alongside the Choir of the Sistine Chapel, while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper gave a reading from the Letter to the Romans by the Foreign Secretary, Yvette Cooper.
Following the service, the Queen stayed on to meet members of the choirs, while the King joined the Pope in the Sala Regia, to meet representatives from climate organisations and private sector leaders who have been working with the monarch's Sustainable Markets Initiative. Pope Leo and the King then exchanged gifts of orchids before re-joining the Queen for a formal farewell. The royal couple's visit to the Holy See is to celebrate the 2025 Papal Jubilee and the warm ecumenical relationship between the Church of England, of which the King is Supreme Governor, and the Roman Catholic Church.
WATCH: Inside King Charles and Queen Camilla's first meeting with Pope Leo XIV
The King and Queen were given a ceremonial welcome at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican ahead of their historic first meeting with Pope Leo XIV. Their Majesties were driven into the San Damaso courtyard, where they were greeted by the Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household, Reverend Monsignor Leonardo Sapienza and a group of Papal Gentlemen and the Gentleman of the Pope, Prince of Windisch-Gaetz, Mariano Hugo.
The Swiss Guard, who have been providing protection for the head of the Catholic Church for centuries, greeted the royal couple as they arrived in the courtyard.
In a display of sartorial diplomacy. Camilla wore a black silk dress by Fiona Clare and traditional mantilla by Philip Treacy and a "raspberry pip" brooch in the shape of cross, which belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The monarch told his host: "You are so kind to see us," before presenting him with a silver-framed photograph of himself and the Queen, and an Icon of St Edward the Confessor, the 11th Century British King, who is patron saint of Kings and difficult marriages.
"It comes as a small token of my esteem and appreciation."
In return, Pope Leo gave the King a scale version of the mosaic of Christ Pantocrator, located in the Norman Cathedral of Cefalu, Sicily.
The King and Queen seated alongside the Pope inside the Sistine Chapel
The Pontiff led the prayer during the ecumenical service in the Vatican's famous Sistine Chapel, likely to be seen as another milestone in the journey of the two churches.
It was the first time a British monarch, the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, had prayed at a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.
Charles and Camilla, making a two-day state visit to the Vatican, sat together a few metres from Pope Leo at the front of the congregation which featured ranks of cardinals.
The intervening centuries since Henry VIII broke with Rome to establish the Church of England in the 16th century had been marked by mutual distrust between the English state and the papacy.
But the ecumenical movement, a drive towards worldwide Christian unity which began early in the 20th century, has seen Anglicans and Roman Catholics working towards this goal of togetherness.
At the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul's Outside the Walls
A Vatican spokesman described the Pope's meeting with the King as "cordial talks" on topics including "environmental protection and the fight against poverty", a "shared commitment to promoting peace and security in the face of global challenges," and the need to continue promoting dialogue between the Catholic and Anglican Churches.
The King and Queen then attended a service at the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls, where a special seat has been created for Charles, which will remain at the place of worship for use by his successors.
Cardinal James Harvey Archpriest of St Paul's Basilica spoke to the service about the "road of reconciliation" between the Church of England and Catholic Church.
And spoke of "hope for the future" after the King and Pope met for prayer in Sistine Chapel earlier in the day.
Addressing the King's earlier historic meeting with Pope Leo XIV, he said: "It is no longer unusual for British sovereign to meet with Bishop of Rome today saw a new step along the road of reconciliation .
He said: "Today cannot be underestimated." And added: "For the first time since the separation of the 16th century the pope and monarch shared an act of worship."
He spoke of celebrating "many positive developments" towards "Christian unity" giving "hope for the future".
Charles and Camilla, who wore a white embroidered coat dress by Anna Valentine and a gold pendant necklace bearing the initials of her grandchildren, were escorted by Cardinal James Harvey and Abbot Donato Ogliari through the Basilica's Holy Door Jubilee and then into the crypt, for a moment of private prayer and reflection at the tomb of St Paul.
The monarch then took his seat in the Apse, as Cardinal Harvey welcomed him with "immense joy".
"The significance of your visit here today cannot be overestimated," he told the King. "Your presence in this Basilica is historic."
The monarch was then formally made "Royal Confrater" of the Abbey, in recognition of the British monarchy's historic connection to the Basilica. English Kings dating back to Saxon times, including Offa and Athelwulf, provided for the upkeep of the tombs of the Apostles in Rome.
Over time this became focused on the tomb of St Paul's and by the late Middle Ages, English Kings became known as the protectors of the Basilica and Abbey, whose heraldic shield is surrounded by the Order of the Garter.
The King has been having regular cancer treatment for the past year and half.
During the service, Vincent Nicholls, Archbishop of Westminster Cathedral, read a prayer saying: "For all who bear the burdens of illness or are weighed down by pain: That the sick may find strength in the companionship of Jesus, and in his Passion know their salvation. Lord, in your mercy."
The chair will remain at the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Paul's Outside the Walls
The King's specially commissioned seat is decorated with his coat of arms and with the Latin phrase Ut unum sint, "That they may be one", a quotation from chapter 17 of Saint John's Gospel.
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and leader of the Catholic Church in the UK, led prayers for the Pope, world leaders and the King, the Earth, the sick and those working for peace.
Charles and Camilla were welcomed together at the Pontifical Beda College by Father Mark Cassidy, rector of the Pontifical Scots College and Canon Marcus Holden, rector of the Pontifical Beda College.
Before the Queen went to do a solo engagement with a group of Sisters, she said their experience of the Vatican had been "absolutely beautiful", adding: "I couldn't believe it. We had a wonderful tour."
After being presented with the gift of a bronze sculpture of St Bede, Charles unveiled a plaque and watered a Seville orange tree to mark the royal visit to the Vatican.
Charles joked: "It's already been planted" and then wished the Seville orange tree "good luck", giving the branches a little shake. He then picked up the watering can again and said: "Oh there's still a bit left, mustn't waste it" as he tipped the rest out
As he unveiled the plaque, the King was told: "There have been many firsts in your visit. Your presence represents the first visit of a reigning monarchy to one of our seminaries in recent times. Thank you for fostering unity today, forged in prayer."
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