VATICAN CITY — On Thursday, King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a historic visit to the Vatican, aiming to strengthen relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The visit comes as a significant moment for both institutions and provides a welcome distraction for the royals from the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Prince Andrew’s connection to Jeffrey Epstein.
The royal couple arrived in St. Peter’s Square, which was largely cleared by security personnel for the occasion. This marked their first audience with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May. A highlight of the visit was a midday prayer service in the Sistine Chapel, representing the first joint prayer between the leaders of the two churches since the Reformation.
The longstanding division between the Catholic Church and the Church of England has revolved around contentious issues, including the ordination of female priests and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals. During the visit, King Charles was also set to receive the title of “Royal Confrater” at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, a historic basilica with ties to the Church of England. In return, Pope Leo XIV was honored with the title of “Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.”
This visit follows renewed attention on the British royal family due to the scandal involving Prince Andrew. The publication of a memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre has reignited discussions about the prince’s past. Although he has stated he will no longer use his titles, including Duke of York, he has strongly denied Giuffre’s allegations.
Pressure is mounting on Buckingham Palace and the UK government to formally revoke Andrew’s titles and evict him from his residence near Windsor Castle.
Originally scheduled for earlier this year, the royal visit was postponed due to the illness and subsequent death of Pope Francis. King Charles had expressed a desire to visit the Vatican during the upcoming 2025 Holy Year, a significant event in the Christian calendar occurring once every 25 years.
The split between Anglicans and Catholics dates back to 1534, when King Henry VIII broke away from the Catholic Church after being denied a marriage annulment. Although recent popes have sought to foster closer ties with the Church of England and the Anglican Communion, fundamental disagreements persist, particularly regarding the ordination of women, which the Catholic Church continues to prohibit.
This visit is seen as a step forward in the dialogue between the two churches, highlighting the ongoing efforts to bridge long-standing divides.
The Associated Press, which provided details for this report, maintains a commitment to delivering accurate and timely coverage on religious matters.
