ROME, Italy , 23 October (H.S.): King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived in Rome on Wednesday for a landmark state visit to the Vatican, a trip designed to forge a powerful symbol of unity between the Church of England and the Catholic Church. The visit is set to culminate on Thursday with the King becoming the first British monarch since the 16th-century Reformation to pray publicly with a pope.

The historic meeting with the American-born Pope Leo will take place in the Sistine Chapel, an event hailed by a royal spokesman as a bulwark against those promoting conflict, division and tyranny.

The visit is of deep personal significance to the King, who has long advocated for inter-faith dialogue.However, this moment of profound religious and diplomatic importance is unfolding under the shadow of the persistent scandal surrounding Prince Andrew.

Despite Buckingham Palace’s recent decision to strip the prince of his royal titles to prevent him from overshadowing official duties, a stream of negative headlines concerning his past has continued, creating a challenging backdrop for the King’s mission in Rome.Palace officials are keen to shift the narrative to the visit’s historic nature.

On Thursday, King Charles and Pope Leo will meet for the first time before participating in the joint service. The King will also take part in a service at the Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls, a church with ancient ties to the English monarchy, further cementing the theme of reconciliation.

The visit, undertaken on behalf of the UK government, aims to strengthen ties with the Holy See, which a Foreign Office spokeswoman described as a crucial and influential partner.

—————

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar