VATICAN CITY — King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the Vatican on March 14, 2024, aiming to strengthen relations between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. This visit comes at a time of increased scrutiny of the British royal family due to ongoing issues related to Prince Andrew’s connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Upon their arrival, the royal couple was greeted by a nearly empty St. Peter’s Square, where heightened security measures were in place. The visit marked their first audience with Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2023, underscoring the importance of this historic meeting.
In a significant moment, the couple participated in a midday prayer service at the Sistine Chapel. This event was particularly notable as it represented the first time since the Reformation that leaders of the two churches prayed together. The Church of England and the Catholic Church have had a long-standing division over various issues, including the ordination of female priests and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Royal Recognition and Titles Exchange
During their time in Rome, King Charles was set to receive the title of “Royal Confrater” at St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, a pontifical basilica with deep historical ties to the Church of England. This title symbolizes a bond of spiritual fellowship between the two churches. In reciprocation, Pope Leo XIV was awarded the title of “Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle,” further solidifying this relationship.
This visit had originally been scheduled for earlier in the year but was postponed due to Pope Francis’s health issues. Charles had expressed a desire to visit the Vatican during the 2025 Holy Year, a significant event celebrated once every 25 years within Christianity.
Context of Royal Turmoil
The timing of this royal visit is particularly poignant given the renewed focus on Prince Andrew, whose ties to Epstein have resurfaced in public discourse following the release of a memoir by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre. Prince Andrew, who has stated he will no longer use his titles including Duke of York, has denied Giuffre’s claims, asserting his innocence.
As the scandal has intensified, both Buckingham Palace and the U.K. government are facing pressure to formally revoke Andrew’s dukedom and princely title, as well as to remove him from his residence near Windsor Castle.
The royal visit to the Vatican serves as an opportunity for King Charles and Queen Camilla to step away from the turmoil surrounding the royal family, while also fostering an environment of dialogue and cooperation between two significant branches of Christianity. The historical significance of this meeting emphasizes the ongoing efforts towards unity, despite centuries of division.
This collaboration may provide a path forward in addressing long-standing theological differences, as both churches continue to seek common ground in an evolving societal landscape.
The Associated Press, through its collaboration with The Conversation US and with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc., provides ongoing coverage of religious issues and their impact on society.
