Today marks a significant moment in the relationship between crown and mitre. His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla arrived in Rome to begin their State Visit to the Holy See and were formally received in audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV at the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace.
A meeting of historic resonance
The encounter took place in the ornate surroundings of the Apostolic Palace, the centuries-old seat of papal government and hospitality. The King and Queen emphasised their desire to strengthen bonds between the United Kingdom and the Holy See, while Pope Leo XIV spoke of unity, hope and renewed commitment in this Jubilee Year of 2025.
Today’s visit is set to include key engagements tied to the Jubilee celebrations, underlining the shared themes of reconciliation, faith and service in an era of global challenges. Pope Leo XIV’s writings and addresses have recently focused on the theme of hope — captured in the phrase “Christ our Hope” — and on family, reconciliation and the role of the Church in a changing world.
Jubilee year engagements ahead
As part of the Royal couple’s programme, the King and Queen will take part in an ecumenical service in the famed Sistine Chapel, in celebration of the Jubilee. This service underscores not only the spiritual dimension of the visit but also the ecumenical outreach that has become a marked feature of the current pontificate.
Later this afternoon, the Royals will visit the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls (St Paul’s Outside the Walls) — one of Rome’s four papal basilicas, and a site of deep historical resonance both for the Catholic Church and for Anglo-Roman relations over the centuries. According to jubilee documentation, the Holy Door of this basilica was opened for the Jubilee year, making it a pilgrimage destination.
Why it matters
This State Visit carries multiple symbolic messages:
- It affirms the diplomatic ties between the UK monarchy and the Holy See at a time when global unrest places emphasis on dialogue and religious diplomacy.
- It draws attention to the Jubilee year of 2025, a time of special liturgical and spiritual focus in Rome, during which believers from across the world travel to the Eternal City.
- It presents an ecumenical gesture: by meeting in such prominent settings — the Sistine Chapel, the papal audience, the basilica — the visit underscores the theme of unity and cooperation across Christian traditions.
Looking ahead
In the coming hours the Royal couple will move from the sacred to the historic: from the private audience with the Pontiff, to the historic basilica that commemorates Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles. Press briefings suggest that the afternoon visit will include a guided tour of the basilica’s cloisters and an opportunity for private reflection.
