King Charles of Great Britain and Pope Leo officiated a joint service in the Sistine Chapel, marking the first joint prayer between an English monarch and a Catholic pontiff since the Great Schism of 1534.

On Thursday, King Charles of Great Britain and Pope Leo participated in a joint service in the Sistine Chapel, a historic moment, being the first time since the Great Schism of 1534 that an English monarch and a Catholic pontiff pray together. The service included hymns in Latin and prayers in English, taking place in front of Michelangelo's frescoes. Charles, the leader of the Anglican Church, stood alongside Pope Leo, and the service was led by Anglican Archbishop Stephen Cottrell, with the participation of the Sistine Chapel Choir.

This meeting symbolizes the strengthening of ties between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Community, five centuries after their separation. Reverend James Hawkey emphasized that this moment offers a "healing of history" and reflects the progress of dialogue between the two churches. Charles and Camilla also had a private audience with Pope Leo, and the king approved British honors for the pontiff.