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King Charles and Pope Leo XIV held a historic joint prayer service in the Sistine Chapel on Thursday, the first time a British monarch and a Pope have prayed together publicly since the Reformation and a sign of reconciliation and unity. Afterwards, the King became “Royal Confrater” of the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St. Paul’s Outside and was given a specially created seat, symbolising the link between the monarchy and the Abbey. View the service at the Sistine Chapel here
Our briefing looked at the significance of the visit for church relations and the importance of the visit for the King, supreme governor of the Church of England, and known for his broad interest in religion. Leo Devine hosted with guests Catherine Pepinster; Rev Dr James Hawkey, Canon theologian at Westminster Abbey; Francis Campbell, former ambassador to the Holy See; and Pope Leo’s biographer, Christopher White. View the briefing or listen to the podcast via links here
King Charles and the Catholic ‘hand of history’ – Catherine Pepinster charts King Charles’ spiritual journey and warm relations with Catholicism over recent years here >>
A historical review, with timeline, on how ties between the Church of England and the Vatican have thawed, and a look ahead to the events in the Sistine Chapel, by Catherine Pepinster >>
A survey for the National Churches Trust found 1:20 churches expect to close in the next five years as ageing properties crumble and repairs are too expensive to fund. It calls for more collaboration and urges the government to extend its Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme. Our briefing included spokespeople from the Trust and Historic England, and featured two fundraising efforts. View the briefing or listen to the podcast via links here
Former First Minister of Scotland, Humza Yousaf, has been given conditions by the UK Government over his new paid role as strategic adviser to the Muslim Impact Forum, which aims to encourage more British Muslims into politics. Maira Butt reports on the Forum’s launch and aims >>
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| Monday 20 October King Charles and the Catholic ‘hand of history’: his journey and timeline CofE clergy vow to offer same-sex blessing services despite bishops’ decision Anglican leader urges unity after threat of Gafcon split Former Methodist president faces multiple charges of sexual assault Two arrested after rape of Sikh woman in West Midlands New book argues: science shows God is more alive than ever German bishop says AfD use of Christian language is ‘hypocritical’ Armenian bishop and 12 priests detained over anti-government protests Unification church calls for release of its 82-year-old leader from South Korean jail Diwali Day in Leicester scaled back this year |
| Tuesday 21 October King meets survivors of Manchester synagogue attack Maccabi Tel Aviv halts ticket sales for Aston Villa match amid safety fears Former FM Humza Yousaf given conditions on new Muslim Impact Forum advisory role Lords table amendments on abortion clauses in Crime and Policing Bill Christian charity with 100 bank accounts criticised for poor financial oversight Charity explains baptising asylum seekers in hotel bathtubs Two people arrested in connection with rape of Sikh woman, have been bailed More Americans say religion is gaining influence in public life Faith leaders join ‘No Kings’ democracy march in New York |
| Wednesday 22 October National Churches Trust issues urgent call to save Britain’s churches Bishops call for immediate removal of two child benefit cap Bishop Nicholas Hudson appointed as Catholic bishop of Plymouth Catholic Bishop of Northampton takes leave of absence for personal reasons Soul Survivor founder Mike Pilavachi stripped of MBE Freedom of the press highlighted in launch of report on Religious Freedom Bible sales ‘rise by a third’ in the US after Charlie Kirk’s death East London Mosque women’s leader says there was no ban in the charity fun run |
| Thursday 23 October King and Queen arrive in Rome for historic meeting with Pope Leo Volunteers plead for renewal of church repair grant scheme amid ‘unfolding crisis’ Met police deny arresting Jewish lawyer over Star of David pendant Chicago clergy protest ‘Jesus is being tear gassed at Broadview‘ Lords select committee starts hearing evidence on assisted dying bill Three men arrested after arson attack on mosque in Peacehaven, Sussex |
| Friday 24 October King Charles and Pope Leo in historic prayer service at Sistine Chapel Two men charged over Peacehaven mosque attack £10 million security funding for British Muslims Badenoch says expel protesters who threatened a Jewish lecturer with beheading Developer lodges appeal to build tower block next to Britain’s oldest synagogue JD Vance prays for peace at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem How the Canterbury Cathedral graffiti art exhibition went viral and fed the culture wars New Bishop of Taunton ‘Nunmania’ in Spain as young women flock to holy orders |
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