First time in five centuries
King Charles III will become the first British monarch since the Reformation 500 years ago to pray publicly with the Pope. This will happen during his state visit to the Vatican next week, Sky news reports.
The king and queen will meet the new pontiff, Pope Leo XIV, at the Apostolic Palace, his official residence. The visit to the Vatican is scheduled for next Thursday, October 23.
The important moment marks a new chapter in relations between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which the king himself is the supreme head. The two, together with the pope, will attend a special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel, dedicated to the ongoing efforts for unity and cooperation between the different Christian denominations.
The decision for the king and the pope to pray together during the service is historic – for the first time in five centuries, a monarch and a pontiff will unite in a shared moment of spiritual reflection.
The last such case was before the Reformation in 1534, when King Henry VIII declared himself head of the Church of England and severed ties with the papal authority and the Roman Catholic Church.
Illustrative Photo by Mike Bird: https://www.pexels.com/photo/boy-wearing-crown-statue-189528/
We acknowledge The European Times for the information.
