22 October The King and Queen were formally welcomed by representatives from the Holy See at
Ciampino 31st Wing Airport on Wednesday evening.
23 October On 23 October 2025, the King and Queen had a private audience with Pope Leo XIV in the
Apostolic Palace. During the meeting, the King appointed Pope Leo an Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the
Order of the Bath, and the Pope in turn awarded the
Order of Pope Pius IX, Charles becoming a Knight with Collar and Camilla a Dame Grand Cross. Later, the King and Pope Leo XIV prayed together during an
ecumenical service in the
Sistine Chapel, marking the joining of hands between the Catholic Church and Church of England in a celebration of ecumenism. That afternoon, accompanied by the Queen, the King attended a service at the
Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, where he was given the title of "Royal Confrater". In return Leo was awarded the title of ''Papal Confrater of St. George's Chapel'' in
Windsor Castle. The titles symbolise the growing
ecumenical friendship between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Church. Amongst those present there were Abbot
Donato Ogliari;
Cardinal Archpriest of the
Papal Basilica James Michael Harvey; the
Archbishop of York and Primate of England,
Stephen Cottrell; and the Moderator of the
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,
Rosie Frew. while the Queen met with a group of
Catholic Sisters representing the
International Union of Superiors General (UISG), and expressed her deep admiration for their service to accompany people living in conditions of conflict, poverty, and displacement across the world. ==Commentary==