King Charles to break five-century-old royal protocol when visiting Pope Leo
King Charles III and Pope Leo are set to make history together.
It will come amid the King and Queen Camilla's state visit to the Vatican next week, where they'll be staying in the holy city for a short period of time between 22 and 23 October.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said about the trip: "The visit will mark Their Majesties’ first meeting with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025.
"The visit will also mark a significant moment in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England, of which His Majesty is Supreme Governor, recognising the ecumenical work they have undertaken and reflecting the Jubilee year’s theme of walking together as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’."
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The statement continued: "This will be the first state visit, since the Reformation, where the Pope and the Monarch will pray together in an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, and the first time the monarch will have attended a service in St Paul’s Outside the Walls, a church with an historic connection to the English Crown."
As part of the trip, Charles will take part in the historic moment of prayer in the famous Sistine Chapel, bringing together clergy and choirs from both the Roman Catholic church and the Church of England.
Charles and Pope Leo are set to become first the British monarch and pontiff to pray together at a public service since the Reformation, over 500 years ago.
The two-day visit to the Holy See, which is the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally.
He will celebrate the Papal Jubilee, which is a special period of forgiveness and reconciliation in the Catholic Church that occurs once every 25 years.
Charles and Camilla were initially set to visit the Vatican back in April, however, Pope Francis' health issues meant the trip was postponed.
They did get the chance though, to privately meet with the pontiff, who sadly died later that month, and Pope Leo took over as his successor.
During their visit, the King and Queen will be greeted by Pope Leo in his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, and afterwards head out on separate engagements.
Camilla will tour the Pauline Chapel, home to Michelangelo’s frescoes of St Peter and St Paul, while Charles will meet Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Holy See’s Secretary of State.
The UK royals and the Pope will then attend the special ecumenical service, where they will pray, which is focused on the theme of Care for Creation, reflecting the pontiff and the King’s commitment to protecting nature and concern for the environment.
These themes will also be reflected when the two heads of state later join a meeting on sustainability, in the palace’s Sala Regia.
The British royals will also attend a service at the Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls and round off the trip with a reception at the Pontifical Beda College.
A Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: "At a time of global instability and conflict, the UK’s relationship with the Holy See is more important than ever - and this historic state visit will be a key moment to strengthen this relationship."
They added: "The Catholic Church is the largest denomination of the world’s largest religion; it is the world’s largest non-state education provider, educating 68 million students worldwide, and delivers a quarter of the world’s healthcare.
"His Majesty’s visit will therefore strengthen the UK’s relationship with this crucial and influential partner, helping to deliver on the Government’s priorities - from promoting peace and security around the world to working with our international partners to tackle climate change."
Topics: King Charles III, UK News, Royal Family, World News, Queen Camilla, Pope Leo
Madison Burgess