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.
