October 23, 2025

Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III unite in historic Sistine Chapel prayer service

Niwa Limbu

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Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III have prayed together at an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and Pope Leo presided jointly the service which was also attended by Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

The occasion marked what is likely the first public act of worship between a reigning British monarch and a pope since the 13th century and was dedicated to the care of creation, echoing themes from Laudato Si’, which this year marks its tenth anniversary.

The 30-minute service followed the format of an ecumenical Ora Media, blending elements of the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours and Anglican Midday Prayer. The opening versicles, “O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us,” were led by Archbishop Cottrell and Pope Leo as all stood before Michelangelo’s Last Judgement. Music was provided by a combined choir of the Sistine Chapel Choir, the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, and the Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, who performed St Ambrose’s hymn O Splendour of God’s Glory Bright, translated by St John Henry Newman.

The psalms were recited antiphonally in English and Latin, including Psalms 8 and 64, focusing on the majesty of God in creation and the call for divine protection and stewardship. A short reading from Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things,” was proclaimed by the Archbishop. Intercessions alternated between the two church leaders, calling for renewal of the earth and gratitude for creation as “a gift to be cherished and used with respect and gratitude.”

Pope Leo XIV led a Christian Prayer in Union with Creation from Laudato Si’, praising the Creator for all living things and imploring divine grace to “protect all life and prepare for a better future.” The Lord’s Prayer was recited by all, led in Latin by the Pope and in English by the Archbishop, before the service concluded with a joint blessing: “The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.”

The event showed not only the deepening of Anglican–Catholic relations since the Second Vatican Council but also a shared conviction that caring for creation is a moral duty rooted in faith, unity, and hope.

(Photo by Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

‍

Pope Leo XIV and King Charles III have prayed together at an ecumenical service in the Sistine Chapel. The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, and Pope Leo presided jointly the service which was also attended by Her Majesty Queen Camilla.

The occasion marked what is likely the first public act of worship between a reigning British monarch and a pope since the 13th century and was dedicated to the care of creation, echoing themes from Laudato Si’, which this year marks its tenth anniversary.

The 30-minute service followed the format of an ecumenical Ora Media, blending elements of the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours and Anglican Midday Prayer. The opening versicles, “O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us,” were led by Archbishop Cottrell and Pope Leo as all stood before Michelangelo’s Last Judgement. Music was provided by a combined choir of the Sistine Chapel Choir, the Choir of His Majesty’s Chapel Royal, and the Choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor, who performed St Ambrose’s hymn O Splendour of God’s Glory Bright, translated by St John Henry Newman.

The psalms were recited antiphonally in English and Latin, including Psalms 8 and 64, focusing on the majesty of God in creation and the call for divine protection and stewardship. A short reading from Revelation 4:11, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things,” was proclaimed by the Archbishop. Intercessions alternated between the two church leaders, calling for renewal of the earth and gratitude for creation as “a gift to be cherished and used with respect and gratitude.”

Pope Leo XIV led a Christian Prayer in Union with Creation from Laudato Si’, praising the Creator for all living things and imploring divine grace to “protect all life and prepare for a better future.” The Lord’s Prayer was recited by all, led in Latin by the Pope and in English by the Archbishop, before the service concluded with a joint blessing: “The Lord bless us, and keep us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.”

The event showed not only the deepening of Anglican–Catholic relations since the Second Vatican Council but also a shared conviction that caring for creation is a moral duty rooted in faith, unity, and hope.

(Photo by Simone Risoluti - Vatican Media via Vatican Pool/Getty Images)

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Niwa Limbu

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