In a landmark event for Anglo-Catholic relations, Britain’s King Charles III and Queen Camilla are set to embark on an historic state visit to the Vatican on October 22-23, 2025. This visit, announced by Buckingham Palace on Friday, will mark the first meeting between the British monarchs and Pope Leo XIV since his election in May 2025. The trip follows a private visit by the royal couple to Pope Francis, Leo’s predecessor, just months before his passing in April 2025. Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope with a background in missionary work in Peru, was elected on May 8, 2025. The visit coincides with the special jubilee year, celebrated every 25 years, and will include a service in the Sistine Chapel highlighting the shared environmental commitments of the Pope and the King. Additionally, King Charles will visit a seminary training Commonwealth priests, while Queen Camilla will engage with Catholic sisters involved in girls’ education programs addressing issues like sexual violence and human trafficking. This visit is seen as a pivotal moment in the evolving relationship between the Catholic Church and the Church of England, emphasizing themes of unity and hope. The Church of England, established in the 16th century by Henry VIII after his split from the Catholic Church, has historically had strained relations with Rome. However, modern times have seen a more amicable relationship between the two faiths. King Charles, who has previously visited the Vatican five times as Prince of Wales, last met Pope Francis in April 2025, despite the pontiff’s declining health. The King, currently undergoing cancer treatment, has long been an advocate for environmental protection, a cause he shares with both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV.