King Charles has been bestowed a new title from the Pope during his Vatican state visit. The King, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, arrived in Rome on Wednesday, ahead of a busy day of engagements today when they will visit the Vatican.
The visit, which was confirmed by both the Holy See and Buckingham Palace, marks a historic moment in Anglican-Catholic relations. The focus of the trip is on two key themes, Christian unity and care for the environment.
The state visit, which was originally planned to take place in the spring, is of historic significance as the King will become the first British monarch to pray with the Pope in public since the Reformation.
In an honour to the King, he has become the Royal Confrater of the Abbey and Basilica of St Paul’s Outside the Walls.
Later today, Their Majesties will visit the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where King Charles will be formally granted the title Royal Confrater of Saint Paul.
In return of the royal’s honour, with the approval of The King, the Dean and Canons of the College of St George Windsor have offered that Pope Leo XIV become Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle and the Pope has accepted.
The visit had been due to take place in April but was postponed due to Pope Francis’s ill-health.
But the King and Queen did hold a private audience with him during their state visit to Italy that month, just two weeks before his death.
King Charles had previously visited the Vatican on five occasions as Prince of Wales.
He has met three popes: Pope Benedict XVI in 2009, Pope Francis during his visits in 2017, 2019 and 2025 and Pope John Paul II in Canterbury in 1982 – the first ever visit to the UK by a reigning Pope.