King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived in Rome this evening for a State Visit to the Holy See.
Their Majesties landed at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport, where they were welcomed on the red carpet by His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Holy See, Christopher Trott.
Charles and Camilla were also welcomed by the Deputy Head of Mission, Dr Anabel Inge, the Vatican City Head of the Protocol Office, Monsignor Javier Domingo Fernández González, and Retired Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Francesco Canalini.
A spokesman for the King issued the following statement: "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 word to unite in faith and in fellowship with our partners.
"This provides a bulwark against those promoting conflict, division and tyranny, and supports our work together in Harmony to protect Nature, God’s Creation.
"These are of course the issues that directly impact lives and livelihoods in Britain and around the globe, not just today but for generations to come.
"As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, The King is proud that this week’s State Visit stands as a symbol and a celebration of how far we have come on that unifying journey."
King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive in Rome as landmark State Visit begins ahead of meeting with Pope Leo
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King Charles and Pope Leo are set to become the first British monarch and pontiff to pray together since Henry VIII’s break with Rome
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The State Visit, taking place from October 22 to 23, aims to highlight the close ties between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, of which King Charles serves as supreme governor.
A key moment will be an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, October 23.
King Charles and Pope Leo are set to become the first British monarch and pontiff to pray together since Henry VIII’s break with Rome more than five centuries ago.
The service will focus on the care of creation, reflecting the two main themes of the royal visit — promoting Christian unity and protecting the environment.
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King Charles and Queen Camilla disembarking the plane
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Buckingham Palace have remained tight-lipped about where the King and Queen are staying
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The Sistine Chapel Choir will perform alongside the Choir of St George’s Chapel and the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal beneath Michelangelo’s iconic ceiling, where the first American-born pope was elected five months ago.
Their Majesties will also visit the Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls, a site with long-standing links to the British monarchy.
Here, the King will formally be bestowed the title "Royal Confrater of Saint Paul". The visit coincides with the Vatican’s Jubilee Year — a sacred celebration held in Rome once every 25 years.
The visit marks the King and Queen’s return to the Vatican following their private audience with Pope Francis earlier this year, shortly before the Pontiff’s death.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are visiting the Holy See from October 22-23
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That meeting took place during Charles and Camilla’s State Visit to Italy, after their original visit to the Holy See, planned for April, was postponed.
King Charles has made five previous visits to the Holy See during his time as Prince of Wales, including for the funeral of Pope John Paul II in 2005.
He also attended the canonisation of Cardinal John Henry Newman in 2019.
Queen Camilla accompanied him on both the 2009 and 2017 visits.