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King Charles III and Queen Camilla have landed in Italy ahead of their landmark state visit to the Vatican to meet Pope Leo.
The trip has been described as a powerful symbol of unity between Anglicans and Catholics in an increasingly turbulent world.
This historic trip will see the King, who serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, become the first British monarch since the Reformation to pray publicly alongside the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church.
Upon their arrival in Italy, the royal couple were formally greeted by representatives from the Holy See, the governing body of the Roman Catholic Church, at Ciampino 31st Wing Airport in Rome.
They were greeted by Christopher Trott, British ambassador to the Holy See; Monsignor Javier Domingo Fernández Gonzalez, Vatican City Head of the Protocol Office; and Archbishop Francesco Canalini, a retired Apostolic Nuncio and former papal diplomat.
The King and Pope’s moment of prayer, during an ecumenical service on Thursday at the Sistine Chapel, is an important symbol of the continuing dialogue between Anglicans and Catholics.
The King meets dignitaries after getting off the plane in Rome (Arthur Edwards/The Sun/PA)
The ecumenical movement, a drive towards worldwide Christian unity which began early in the 20th century, has seen Anglicans and Roman Catholics working towards this goal of togetherness.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “His Majesty is greatly looking forward to meeting Pope Leo and celebrating together the historical significance of this visit, representing, as it does, such a landmark in relationships between the Church of England and the Catholic Church, and between the UK and the Holy See.
“At times of such global challenge, it has seldom been more important for Christian communities around the word to unite in faith and in fellowship with our partners.
“This provides a bulwark against those promoting conflict, division and tyranny, and supports our work together in harmony to protect nature, God’s creation.
“These are, of course, the issues that directly impact lives and livelihoods in Britain and around the globe, not just today but for generations to come.
“As Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the King is proud that this week’s state visit stands as a symbol and a celebration of how far we have come on that unifying journey.”
The King and Queen were due to make the state visit to the Holy See in April but the health problems of Pope Francis meant the trip was postponed, although the couple did privately meet the pontiff, who died later that month.
The two-day state visit to the Holy See begins in earnest on Thursday with a series of events beginning with the royal couple being welcomed by Pope Leo XIV.
The event will be first time the couple will have met the pontiff since he was elected to office, with Charles having met his three predecessors: Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II.