Historic Joint Prayer Signals Warming Relations Between Catholic and Anglican Churches
In a landmark event signifying a potential turning point in centuries-old divisions,Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III participated in a joint prayer service in teh Sistine Chapel at the Vatican.This marked the first such occasion as the anglican Church separated from the Catholic Church in 1534. The meeting included a private discussion between the Pope and the King, accompanied by Queen Camilla, lasting several tens of minutes.
The ceremony centered on the theme of environmental stewardship, reflecting a shared commitment to ecological concerns held by both leaders. Led by Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop of york Stephen Cottrell, the second-highest ranking cleric in the Church of England, the service incorporated readings from the Letter to the Romans by Paul of Tarsus, psalms, and a chant translated into English by Cardinal John Henry Newman – a figure who notably converted from anglicanism to Catholicism. The prayer was conducted in both Latin and English.
the setting itself held symbolic weight, with the Pope and King seated at the same level before the altar, beneath Michelangelo’s iconic fresco of the Last Judgment. The roughly half-hour ecumenical service coincided with the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato si’, which underscored the urgency of environmental protection and the need to address climate change. The event had been originally scheduled for April but was postponed due to the recent passing of Pope Francis.
Following the prayer, the Pope and King Charles III are scheduled to meet with business leaders dedicated to enduring practices.King Charles III will also be bestowed with the title of royal co-brother at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the walls.
This visit is widely viewed as a step towards greater reconciliation between the Catholic and Anglican churches. While both denominations grapple with similar challenges, such as declining religious observance in Europe, they maintain differing stances on issues like LGBTQ+ rights and the role of women within the church. the upcoming appointment of Sarah Mullally as a leading figure in the Church of England contrasts with the Catholic Church’s prohibition of women in the priesthood.
Historically, relations between the Vatican and Britain were strained following the 1534 schism. Queen Elizabeth II was the first British monarch to visit the Pope in Rome in 1961, during the papacy of John XXIII, though no joint religious ceremony took place.The first papal visit to Britain after the Anglican separation occurred in 1982, when John Paul II travelled to the country. Past disagreements between the two churches have also been reflected in conflicts, such as those experienced in Northern Ireland.
