Royal Visit to Rome: A Day of Prayer and History

In Rome, King Charles and Queen Camilla had a busy day filled with history and symbolism. They started their visit at the Vatican, where they met Pope Leo XIV. The King gave the Pope a special gift: a large silver photo and icon of St Edward the Confessor, a king known for his deep faith. In return, the Pope gave the King a small copy of a famous mosaic called "Christ Pantocrator. " After the gift exchange, the royal couple and the Pope went to the Sistine Chapel. There, they prayed together, marking the first time the head of the Church of England publicly prayed with a Pope. This moment was significant because it showed unity between different parts of the Christian faith. Following the prayer, the King and Pope talked about the environment. They met with people from groups working to protect nature. Both leaders care about the planet and want to make a difference. The royal couple then went to the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls. This huge church is named after St Paul, who is buried there. Inside, the King sat in a special chair made just for him. The chair has his coat of arms and a Latin phrase that means "That they may be one. " This chair will stay in the church for future visits by the King or his family. At the basilica, the Queen changed her outfit. She had been wearing black, as is traditional when meeting the Pope, but switched to a white dress for the service. After the service, the royals met with schoolchildren and other people who came to see them. The day ended with separate meetings for the King and Queen. The King went to Pontifical Beda College, while the Queen met with nuns. Their visit to Rome was short but meaningful, filled with moments that connected history and faith.