A PATH TO PEACE

The King and Queen's state visit to Rome makes history as Charles becomes the first British monarch to pray with a pope in 500 years

- REPORT: EMILY NASH

It was history in the making as the King and Queen met Pope Leo XIV for the first time on a state visit to the Vatican.

The encounter between the leader of the Roman Catholic Church and the Supreme Governor of the Church of England was always going to be hugely symbolic.

But Charles, 76 – who has long been an advocate for unity among different faiths – went one step further, taking part in a ritual that represented an end to centuries of division.

With the simple utterance of the word “Amen,” he became the first British monarch in modern history to pray publicly alongside a pontiff. The moment occurred at a special ecumenical service – welcoming members of all Christian denominations – in the magnificent surroundings of the 552-year-old Sistine Chapel.

SPECIAL WELCOME

Their Majesties – who had landed in Rome to a ceremonial welcome the night before – arrived at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace in the State Bentley, the Queen paying homage to the occasion in a black lace mantilla by milliner Philip Treacy.

They were greeted in the San Damaso courtyard by a guard of honour formed by the Swiss Guard. The pontifical band played “God Save the King” and the national anthem of Vatican City.

The state visit had been due to take place in April but was postponed because of Pope Francis’s illness. Instead, the royal couple saw him privately, days before his death at the age of 88.

This time, the King and Queen were welcomed by his successor, American-born Pope Leo, 70, for an audience in the papal library.