Catholic and Anglican heads to hold joint prayer first time in 5 centuries
King Charles with his spouse. Photo: usnews
On October 22, 2025, King of the United Kingdom Charles III and his wife Camilla will visit the Vatican to meet with Pope Leo.
During the visit, the British monarch will hold a joint prayer with the pontiff at the Sistine Chapel of the Vatican – this will be the first joint prayer of a British monarch and a pope since 1534.
The visit is seen as a signal to strengthen ties between the Catholic and Anglican Churches nearly five centuries after their split. It is worth recalling that the break occurred in the 16th century under King Henry VIII, when the English crown separated from Rome and established the independent Church of England. Since then, British monarchs have been the supreme governors of the Anglican Church. Charles III has held this position since September 2022, when he ascended the throne following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
"This is undoubtedly a historic event. It is a recognition of the joint path of the two Churches," noted a high-ranking Vatican representative.
As reported, for the first time in history, the Anglican Church appointed a female Archbishop of Canterbury, Sarah Mullally.
Read also
TRC officers abduct priest of UOC's Zymne Monastery
The UOC cleric was reportedly taken by force to Lutsk.
UOC faithful publish appeal to Athonite monks visiting OCU
UOC faithful have called on the Athonite monks not to support the seizure of the Lavra or the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.
Zelensky has done more to destroy UOC than Poroshenko, journalist says
A Ukrainian journalist stated that Zelensky "declared war" on the UOC in 2022.
Dumenko to Athonite abbot: We're freeing Lavra from shackles of "Russian world"
Responding to the guest from Athos, the head of the OCU said that the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra is being "freed" from the "false teaching of the Russian world" and is returning to "true service."
Abbot of New Esphigmenou at Lavra: OCU is a "deep spiritual movement"
Athonite Archimandrite Bartholomew, attending a celebration at the Lavra, assured attendees that the creation of the OCU was not a political act.
Serbian Church condemns verdict against Patriarch Porfirije in Slovenia
The Holy Synod of the Serbian Church called the Ljubljana court's ruling against the Primate unlawful.