ing Charles has been issued a new honour following his meeting with Pope Leo XIV as he becomes Royal Confrater.

On Wednesday evening, King Charles and Queen Camilla, 78, touched down in Italy. Then, on Thursday, the couple met with Pope Leo for the first time following his election in May.

They attended a string of engagements. These included a special ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel and a visit to the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls.

It was here where the king, 76, received his honour.

King Charles sat on throne-like seat in ItalyThe king sat on a “specially created seat” (Credit: IPA/SplashNews.com)

King Charles’ new honour Royal Confrater explained

On the royal family’s official Instagram page, King Charles’ honour was explained.

The account shared images of the king sitting in a “specially created seat”. Alongside it, a message detailed the honour and another service Their Majesties attended.

The statement read: “In the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, The King and Queen have attended an ecumenical service, to mark His Majesty becoming ‘Royal Confrater’ of the Abbey of St. Paul.

“The King sat in a specially created seat – given in honour of His Majesty becoming Royal Confrater.

“This gift of ‘confraternity’ – a recognition of spiritual fellowship – symbolises the historic links between the English monarchy and the Basilica and Abbey of St Paul’s Outside the Walls. It also reflects the mutual recognition between Pope Leo and His Majesty as Heads of State.”

The message added: “St Paul’s is recognised as the Papal Basilica where reconciliation, ecumenism and relationships across the Christian faith are celebrated.

“Their Majesties entered the Basilica via the Holy Door which is opened to the public every twenty-five years, during a Jubilee Year.”
King Charles with Pope Leo during state visitKing Charles met Pope Leo XIV on Thursday (Credit: IPA/SplashNews.com)

Moment Pope Leo and King Charles prayed together

Meanwhile, on Thursday, King Charles and Pope Leo made history as they prayed together.

They became the first British monarch and pontiff to pray together publicly at a church service in 500 years.

The moment happened during a “unique ecumenical service at the Sistine Chapel”.

The King sat in a specially created seat – given in honour of His Majesty becoming Royal Confrater.

The king is supreme governor of the Church of England, while Pope Leo is head of the Catholic Church.

Ahead of meeting with the Pope, King Charles’ spokesperson issued a statement. They expressed the importance of the trip.

‘A landmark in relationships’

The statement read: “His Majesty is greatly looking forward to meeting Pope Leo and celebrating together the historical significance of this visit, representing, as it does, such a landmark in relationships between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. And between the UK and the Holy See.

“At times of such global challenge, it has seldom been more important for Christian communities around the world to unite in faith and in fellowship with our partners.”