King Charles should 'abdicate' for praying with Pope Leo XIV, says reverend
The king will mark a hugely historic moment with the Pope on ThursdayKing Charles is facing criticism over praying with Pope Leo XIV in Rome, Italy, today.
On Thursday (October 23), the king, 76, and Queen Camilla, 78, met with the Pope as part of their state visit to the Holy See. The visit coincides with the 2025 Jubilee Year – an important time for the Catholic Church.
Charles and Camilla previously visited Italy in April as they met with the late Pope Francis. It came just days before his death on Easter Monday (April 21).
Now, they have met with his successor, Pope Leo XIV, for the first time following his election in May 2025. It’ll be a historic visit with Charles and the Pope set to pray together. They’ll become the first British monarch and pontiff to pray together at a church service in 500 years.

King Charles facing criticism over praying with Pope Leo XIV
The king, who is supreme governor of the Church of England, will become the first reigning English monarch to pray publicly with a Pope, head of the Catholic Church, since Henry VIII.
The historic moment will happen during a “unique ecumenical service” at the Sistine Chapel. However, the move has sparked some criticism from a reverend.
King Charles has been a longstanding campaigner for building bridges between faiths.
I don’t think he is being true to his oath.
But Reverend Kyle Paisley – son of Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) founder Ian Paisley – seems to disagree with the move, saying the king would not be being “true to his oath”.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s Talkback programme on Wednesday, Mr Paisley said King Charles should “uphold the protestant faith”.
He believes that the king praying with Pope Leo is “breaking his oath” and “not upholding his promise to defend a reformed faith when he mixes in that kind of way”.

Charles ‘should abdicate’ over historic move
When asked if he thinks King Charles should “abdicate” over the move, Mr Paisley replied: “Yes, because I don’t think he is being true to his oath.
“The Protestant faith historically and theologically is a world apart from Catholicism.”
He added: “I don’t for the life of me see how he can engage in that kind of corporate worship. It gives the impression that it’s not essentially different.”
Royal Insider has contacted reps for Buckingham Palace for comment.

Reason for Charles and Camilla’s trip to the Holy See
Ahead of meeting with Pope Leo, King Charles’ spokesperson issued a statement on behalf of His Majesty.
In the message, Charles explained the importance of the trip. He also touched on it representing a “landmark in relationships between the Church of England and the Catholic Church”.
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He 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 world to unite in faith and in fellowship with our partners.”
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