During their historic visit to the Holy See from 22nd – 23rd October 2025, the King and Queen will attend a reception at longstanding St Mary’s partner institution the Pontifical Beda College.
Their Majesties are joining His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to celebrate the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year while in Rome. As part of the celebrations, they will attend a prayer service at the Papal Basilica and Abbey of St Pauls-Outside-the-Walls.
With this event, and in an historic step, His Majesty will become ‘Royal Confrater’ of the Abbey. This gift of ‘confraternity’ is a recognition of spiritual fellowship between the British Monarchy and the Holy See. The Pope will also grant King Charles his own seat at the Basilica, bearing his coat of arms.
In marking this occasion, the King will attend a reception at the Pontifical Beda College, a seminary which trains priests from across the Commonwealth, meeting students and members of the British and Vatican community. The intellectual formation programme at the Beda College has been validated by St Mary’s for many years, being an integral element of the ecclesial partnerships which are central to our mission as a Catholic university.