November 2025 - Magazine - Page 101
November 2025
But its purpose will be to show harmony between the two religious denominations, with
the Sistine Chapel Choir singing alongside the Choir of St George's Chapel and the
Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal. The richly-decorated 15th Century chapel is the
setting for the conclave of cardinals that elects the pope. There have been meetings
between monarchs and pontiffs before, including by the late Queen Elizabeth II.
But according to Buckingham Palace and the Church of England, there has been no
similar moment, with a British monarch and pope praying alongside each other at a
shared church service, since Henry VIII's split from Rome in the 16th Century. Royal
sources have emphasised the historic significance of this occasion, with the King having
a long commitment to building bridges between faiths.
There will be another connection with the pre-Reformation era, when the King attends a
service at the church of St Paul's Outside the Walls. This church and abbey, which
contains the tomb of St Paul, was traditionally associated with the English monarchy,
going back to medieval and Anglo-Saxon rulers who had once helped with the upkeep
of this building in Rome. The insignia of the Order of the Garter has been on display here
for centuries, reflecting the links with the English monarchy.
And the King will take an honorary, spiritual title associated with the abbey, becoming
what's called a "royal confrater", as part of the abbey's confraternity. A Church of
England spokesman said the title was a tribute to the King's "work over many decades to
find common ground between faiths and to bring people together".
The King will sit in a purpose-made seat, decorated with the King's coat of arms, which
will stay in place for the King's future use and his successors. State visits are carried out
on behalf of the government and a Foreign Office spokeswoman said: "The Catholic
Church is the largest denomination of the world's largest religion."
As such, the King and Queen's visit will "strengthen the UK's relationship with
this crucial and influential partner", she said.
