King Charles prays with pope in historic visit

King Charles III and Queen Camilla prayed Thursday with Pope Leo XIV ina historic visit to the Vatican to forge closer relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, a welcome spiritual respite for the royals from the turmoil at home over sexual misconduct allegations against Prince Andrew.

- By NICOLE WINFIELD

FRANCO ORIGLIA Getty Images POPE LEO greets Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their Vatican visit Thursday.

Charles, who is the titular head of the Church of England, and Camilla sat in golden thrones on the raised altar of the Sistine Chapel, in front of Michelangelo's “Last Judgment,” while Leo and the Anglican archbishop of York presided over an ecumenical service.

The event marked the first time since the Reformation that the heads of the two Christian churches, divided for centuries over issues that now include the ordination of female priests, have prayed together.

The accompanying music reflected the Catholic and Anglican musical heritage: Hymns were sung by members of both the Sistine Chapel choir and visiting members of two royal choirs: the St. George's Chapel choir of Windsor Castle and the children’s choir of the Chapel Royal of St. James’ Palace.

The visit comes as the British royal family is again under intense scrutiny over Andrew’s ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The scandal that has long dogged the king’s brother was reignited this week after a memoir by Epstein and Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre was published.