New details of the King and Queen's historic trip to the Vatican revealed

The King will become the first British monarch in 500 years to pray in public with a pope during his historic state visit to the Vatican City next week. In a hugely significant moment for ecumenical relations, Charles, who is Supreme Governor of the Church of England, and Pope Leo XIV, head of the Catholic Church, will attend a service in the Sistine Chapel.

Inside one of the Vatican City's greatest treasures, with its incredible ceiling painted by Michelangelo, a special ecumenical service will bring together clergy and choirs from both churches. The King and Queen's two-day visit, from October 22-23, will see the monarch named a 'Royal Confrater' of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul's Outside the Walls.

The title recognises spiritual fellowship, with "frater" meaning brother in Latin.

A Church of England spokesperson said: "The Royal Confrater title... is a tribute to His Majesty and to his own work over many decades to find common ground between Faiths and to bring people together.

"It is intended as an ecumenical gesture of hospitality that bears witness to the historic ties between what is now the United Kingdom and the Basilica, and celebrates the deep and warm friendship between the two churches."

In further celebration of the new bond between the Church of England and the Roman Catholic Church, the Basilica of St Paul's Outside the Walls has created a special seat for the King.

The King and Queen were originally scheduled to visit the Holy See in April, but the health issues of Pope Francis necessitated a postponement of the trip. However, the couple did privately meet the pontiff, who died later that month. Their separate state visit to Italy went ahead as planned, with trips to Rome and Ravenna.

During their brief visit next week, the King and Queen will be greeted by Pope Leo in his official residence, the Apostolic Palace, and will include a tour of the Pauline Chapel, home to Michelangelo's frescoes of St Peter and St Paul and a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary which trains priests from across the Commonwealth.

Charles, Camilla and the Pope will then attend the special ecumenical service, where they will pray, which is focused on the theme of Care for Creation, reflecting the pontiff and the King's commitment to protecting nature and concern for the environment.

It will also include performances from the Children of the Choir of His Majesty's Chapel Royal and the Choir of St George's Chapel Windsor alongside the Sistine Chapel Choir.

Charles and Camila will also attend a second service in St Paul's Outside the Walls, something Buckingham Palace has described as a "historic step".

Other highlights include a meeting on sustainability in the Sala Regia, a state hall in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City, and the Queen's meeting with six Catholic Sisters from the International Union of Superiors General.

The King and Queen are visiting the Vatican to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee year, a special occasion that occurs every 25 years and is a significant time for the Catholic Church.

It will also mark Their Majesties' first meeting with Pope Leo since his election in May.

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "At a time of global instability and conflict, the UK's relationship with the Holy See is more important than ever - and this historic State Visit will be a key moment to strengthen this relationship."