King Charles III named Royal Confrater at Vatican’s Basilica of Saint Paul, a symbol of hope for Anglican-Catholic unity during an ecumenical ceremony.
Newsroom (24/10/2025, Gaudium Press ) In a profound gesture of ecumenical unity, King Charles III was conferred the title of Royal Confrater at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls during a state visit to the Vatican alongside Queen Camilla. The ceremony, steeped in historical and spiritual significance, underscored a shared commitment to Christian unity, encapsulated in the Gospel inscription Ut unum sint—”That they may be one.”
A Symbol of Hope
The ecumenical celebration, presided over by Abbot Donato Ogliari, unfolded in the presence of Cardinal James Michael Harvey, Archpriest of the Papal Basilica; Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York and Primate of England; and Rosie Frew, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. The event marked a milestone in the ongoing dialogue between the Anglican Communion and the Catholic Church, with Cardinal Harvey describing the conferral as a sign of “hope” and a fraternal welcome to the British monarch.
The Royals entered the basilica through the Holy Door, accompanied by Cardinal Harvey, Abbot Ogliari, Archbishop Cottrell, and Moderator Frew. The congregation’s voices rose in a rendition of Hosanna to the Son of David by Orlando Gibbons, performed by the Schola of the Abbey of Saint Paul Outside the Walls, lay clerks of St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and children of St. James’s Royal Chapel in London, with Christian Almada at the organ.
A Moment of Prayer
Following a pause at the altar, the group proceeded to the tomb of the Apostle Paul for a moment of reflection. Archbishop Cottrell offered a prayer for the congregation to bear witness to the Gospel “in the darkness of our time.” The Royals then took their seats as the choir performed Sing Joyfully by William Byrd, evoking the rich musical heritage of the English Chapel Royal.
Cardinal Harvey highlighted the deep historical ties between the Basilica and England, referencing the pivotal 1966 meeting between Pope Paul VI and Archbishop Michael Ramsey, which initiated formal dialogue between the two communions post-Reformation. The conferral of the Royal Confrater title, approved by Pope Leo XIV, was presented as a continuation of this legacy of reconciliation.
A Throne for Unity
King Charles was seated on a specially crafted throne bearing the royal coat of arms and the inscription Ut unum sint. This throne, destined to remain in the Basilica’s apse for use by the king and his successors, symbolizes a lasting commitment to ecumenical unity. After Abbot Ogliari read the formal declaration of confraternity, invoking a “common ecumenical journey,” he and Cardinal Harvey exchanged a sign of peace with the king.
The service featured readings and hymns reinforcing the theme of unity. Moderator Frew proclaimed the First Reading from the Letter to the Ephesians, followed by the chant Ecce quam bonum, quoting Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is brethren, to dwell together in unity!” Archbishop Cottrell read from the Gospel of John, chapter 17, echoing the throne’s inscription. The hymn In God’s word will I rejoice by Henry Purcell further enriched the ceremony.
Prayers for Creation and Leadership
Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, led the Prayer of the Faithful, interceding for global Church leaders, Pope Leo XIV, and “the rulers of nations,” particularly King Charles. Reflecting the royal visit’s environmental focus, prayers were also offered for the protection of Creation, amplifying its “cry” for future generations.
The ceremony concluded with the motet Exultate Deo by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, marking the composer’s 500th birth anniversary, and the hymn Praise to the Holiest in the Height, drawn from Saint John Henry Newman’s The Dream of Gerontius. Newman, set to be proclaimed a Doctor of the Church on November 1, added a layer of significance to the event. The service closed with Christian Almada performing the first movement of Edward Elgar’s Organ Sonata in G major.
A Visit to the Abbey
Following the ceremony, King Charles and Queen Camilla made a private visit to the abbey’s monumental library, a fitting coda to an event that blended spiritual, cultural, and historical resonance. The conferral of the Royal Confrater title not only honors King Charles but also reaffirms a shared vision of unity and hope across Christian traditions.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Vatican News
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