India, Oct. 23 -- Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla joined Pope Leo XIV in prayer on Thursday in a historic visit to the Vatican, marking the first time in nearly 500 years that the heads of the Church of England and the Catholic Church have prayed together.

King Charles, who serves as the titular head of the Church of England, and Camilla sat on golden thrones on the raised altar of the Sistine Chapel, in front of Michelangelo's Last Judgment. Pope Leo and the Anglican archbishop of York presided over an ecumenical service, reported the Associated Press.

Marking another show of unity, the service included hymns performed by both the Sistine Chapel choir and visiting members of two royal choirs.

The Anglican Church split fro...