Pope Leo accepts rare title from King Charles days after lung cancer surgery
King Charles III with Pope Leo XIV in the San Damaso Courtyard, in St Peter's Square (Image: Aaron Chown/the Press Association)
TL;DR
- Pope Leo XIV has accepted the honorary title of Papal Confrater of the College of St George at St George's Chapel, Windsor.
- The title reflects a shared desire for Christian unity between the Pope and King Charles.
- This act signifies spiritual fellowship, ecumenical friendship, and Christian fraternity.
- It acknowledges the historical relationship between St George's Chapel and the Holy See, and progress in ecumenical relations.
- Specially commissioned chairs have been created to mark these signs of confraternity.
- Pope Leo XIV will miss a planned trip to Assisi due to recovery from thoracic surgery.
- The Pope underwent successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung for lung adenocarcinoma.
- King Charles and Pope Leo made history in 2025 by praying together in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel.