King Charles arrived at the Vatican to meet Pope Leo, accompanied by Camilla.
As members of the royal family arrived at the Vatican, the United Kingdom’s national anthem, “God Save the King,” was played, the BBC notes.
The king and queen stood together, while the Swiss guards lined up in ceremonial formation.
🇬🇧 🇻🇦 King Charles III, the head of the Church of England, became the first British monarch to pray publicly with a pope in a Vatican service led by Leo XIV.
➡️ https://t.co/uFpjW8Ikyu pic.twitter.com/qnxcQSfa0J— AFP News Agency (@AFP) October 23, 2025
The Swiss Guards are one of the oldest – and most famous – military forces in Europe. They consist of Roman Catholic Swiss citizens who have completed military training.
In addition to their ceremonial duties, they are also the Pope’s bodyguard.
Common prayer
Pope Leo and King Charles will pray together – the first joint prayer by an English monarch and a Catholic pontiff since King Henry VIII broke away from Rome in 1534.
Although Charles has met the last three popes, their meetings have never included joint prayers.
Source :Skai
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