King Charles arrived at the Vatican on Thursday for a landmark visit to Pope Leo, marking the first time in nearly 500 years that a British monarch will publicly pray with a pontiff since the Church of England broke away from the Roman Catholic Church.

The royal motorcade, carrying King Charles and Queen Camilla, entered St. Peter’s Square and passed through the Arch of the Bells before arriving at the San Damaso Courtyard, where they were greeted with full honors by the Vatican guard.

Charles, who also serves as the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, is holding a private audience with Pope Leo at the Apostolic Palace — their first meeting since Leo’s election as pope earlier this year.

Following their meeting, King Charles and Queen Camilla will join a joint prayer service in the Sistine Chapel, to be led by Pope Leo and the Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell. (PNA)