King’s visit sends powerful symbol of reconciliationpublished at 07:48 BST
07:48 BST
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent, reporting from the Vatican
Image source, ReutersImage caption,
The King will pray with Pope Leo in a public display of togetherness
The state visit will be sending powerful symbols of reconciliation between the Catholic Church and the Church of England.
The King, as head of the Church of England, will pray with Pope Leo, head of the Catholic Church, in a public display of togetherness.
It’s the first time that’s happened in a shared church service since the Reformation in the 16th Century.
In the afternoon, there will be be another historic connection, when the King attends a service at another church, St Paul’s Outside the Walls.
This church, which holds the tomb of St Paul, was associated with the English monarchy before the Reformation.
There’s a special chair made for the King there which throws the visit forward as well as looking into the past.
It’s going to be kept in the church for the King when he returns, or for his heirs and successors.