Analysis: King hopes to leave legacy – but pair may share concerns around their institutions
Today’s visit “could not be more important to King Charles”, given his work on interfaith dialogue, our royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills said.
“It’s also important to stress that the King is here on behalf of the UK government,” she added.
“Yesterday, as the King landed, his spokesperson was very keen to point out why it’s important that they make this state visit to the Holy See.
“[They said] at such times of global challenge, it has seldom been more important for Christian communities around the world to unite in faith and in fellowship with our partners.”
Shared interests
Mills said: “You do always wonder how the two heads of state are going to get on.”
While Charles was “hugely fond of the previous Pope”, Leo is a different man, she added.
“But they have already got a lot in common, especially around the environment and the climate crisis.”
And shared concerns
Buckingham Palace will hope that the public may be able to “focus on the historical significance of what we’re seeing today”, despite recent developments around the King’s brother, Mills said.
But she also referred to a conversation she had with Cardinal Vincent Nichols, head of the Catholic Church for England and Wales.
“He said when we come to pray before God… we think about difficult things going on in our lives – and it’s not just a king who’s got difficulties behind the scenes, it’s also Pope Leo,” Mills said.
“And one of those difficulties is how both institutions confront an issue around historical abuse.
“So you do wonder whether or not, privately, the two men may engage in some kind of discussion about that matter as well.”
