London: King Charles and Queen Camilla will meet Pope Leo XIV during a state visit to Vatican City in late October, Buckingham Palace confirmed. The visit will coincide with the 2025 Jubilee Year, a celebration the Catholic Church marks every 25 years.
The Jubilee theme, ‘Pilgrims of Hope,’ emphasizes ecumenical collaboration, and the royal couple’s visit is expected to celebrate the ongoing dialogue and cooperation between the Church of England and the Catholic Church.
The King’s role as Supreme Governor of the Church of England, dating back to Henry VIII, who named himself Supreme Head after breaking from the Catholic Church, adds both diplomatic and spiritual significance to the visit. The state visit reflects the shared desire of King Charles and Pope Leo XIV to overcome historical denominational divisions.
King Charles has long demonstrated a commitment to religious diversity. Notably, five centuries ago, another Pope Leo (Leo X) granted Henry VIII the title Defender of the Faith, a designation that the King has reflected upon in the context of modern, multi-faith, and increasingly secular society.
This year has seen significant changes for many Christians. A new Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to be announced soon, a process which requires the King’s approval as Supreme Governor, contrasting with the two-day papal conclave in Rome.
Earlier this year, the King and Queen attended the requiem mass of the Catholic Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral, a key moment symbolizing Christian unity. Their state visit in early April to Italy had to be cancelled due to Pope Francis’s poor health, though they managed to meet him privately during that trip, just 12 days before his death, on their 20th wedding anniversary, when Pope Francis personally wished them a happy anniversary.
Following Pope Francis’s death on 21 April, Buckingham Palace released an official message in which the King stated that he and the Queen were ‘most deeply saddened.’ In May, King Charles sent a private message of congratulations to Pope Leo XIV following his election earlier this year.
The upcoming state visit and the meeting with Pope Leo will underscore the continued commitment between the Church of England and the Catholic Church and strengthen interfaith dialogue, highlighting both diplomatic and spiritual ties between the UK and the Vatican.
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