King Charles is meeting Pope Leo XIV for the first time since he was elected to office today during his history visit to the Vatican. The King and Queen arrived in Rome last night ahead of their meeting with His Holiness.
The state visit to the Holy See, the government of the Roman Catholic Church in the Vatican, is understood to be deeply significant for the King personally and will celebrate the Papal Jubilee held every 25 years. During an ecumenical service in the famous Sistine Chapel, the King, Supreme Governor of the Church of England, will become the first British monarch to pray at a public service with the Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since the Reformation.
It comes as the King's brother, Prince Andrew, continues to cause controversy back home. Yesterday, the Prime Minister appeared to back an inquiry into Prince Andrew's living arrangements, having lived at Royal Lodge for over 20 years without paying rent. But the King and the Palace are hoping the focus will be on the series of engagements in the Vatican, rather than his disgraced brother.
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